Back in 2024, life for 68-year-old Kim from Guiseley was going well: he had two grown-up children, a partner and a job he enjoyed. And he spent his spare time pursuing his absolute joy and passion: singing.

When Kim wasn’t working at his day job as a sales engineer, he was on stage belting out Frank Sinatra covers and Big Band classics. He toured local pubs, bringing joy to people with his talent.  

“Every night I go out singing, people love it. And I love it too.” Kim said.

For someone whose beloved pastime came from using his voice, there could be no more devastating a diagnosis than mouth cancer.

From the dentist to cancer diagnosis

In February 2024, Kim began experiencing recurrent earache and toothache. He had also noticed a small lump underneath his chin, which wasn’t going away.

It was a visit to the dentist which raised alarm bells. The dentist ruled out anything wrong with his teeth or gums. “Let’s have a feel of your jaw”, the dentist had said, and explored the small lump, which was an enlarged lymph node, but when pressed, it caused no pain.

“Surprisingly,” Kim told us, “The lack of pain turned out to be a bad thing. My dentist explained that a painful lymph node would indicate an infection, which my lymphatic system was fighting off. But a hard lump that isn’t painful when pressed – apparently that’s a more serious matter.”

Kim was sent for an ultrasound, where doctors found more lumps in his throat. A needle biopsy was taken of the lymph node.

“It all happened very quickly,” Kim said, “there was a two-week pathway between having the initial scans, and them sitting me down and telling me the news. By the rapid pace that things moved, I guessed it probably wasn’t good. But I couldn’t knock the NHS for their efficiency.”

Kim was diagnosed with mouth cancer. In some good news, it wasn’t considered the most aggressive form of mouth cancer, and the long-term prognosis was positive.

The bad news was he would still need intensive treatment, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy to his head, neck and lymph nodes.

This made Kim worried: “The treatment could rob me of the one thing I love the most – my singing. If I lose that then I am not me.”

Kim’s treatment journey

“The journey seemed like an endless dark tunnel. There was a good prognosis, but there was an element of risk. My worry was there was no 100% certainty they would kill all the cancer, and would any of my healthy tissue be damaged in the process?”

Between May and July 2024, Kim had to have 35 sessions of radiotherapy over seven weeks, at Leeds Cancer Centre. There were many scans, and planning sessions, to map where the cancer was, and plan the treatment in detail.

Kim lay down with two mould room staff present, to make the mask required for radiotherapy treatment . These masks are tight, full-face plastic masks that are designed to position the face and head during radiotherapy treatment. At present, all head and neck patients are required to wear this, and it covers most of the face.

Before his diagnosis, Kim had seen a documentary about the comedian Rhod Gilbert, who had been treated for the same type of cancer, he knew to expect the plastic mask.

“I knew the skin-tight masks were part of the treatment, so I had psyched myself up for it. But I can imagine it can be horrific for some, especially if you’re claustrophobic.

I wasn’t really prepared when the mask was secured to the radiotherapy treatment bed. . They secured the mask to the treatment table with plastic poppers that are very loud. I joked with the radiographers, ‘what if you can’t get me out?!’

They asked if I wanted to take my mask home, but I said it would scare any visitors! They are certainly scary looking things, and unpleasant to have on. I don’t really want to be reminded of that.”

Rehab and the road to recovery

Kim is now receiving rehabilitation from the ENT specialists at Leeds General Infirmary. When he was referred, he asked if there was anyone who could rehabilitate a singer. “I’m not sure” the consultant said to him, “We simply set out to make sure you can communicate again. We don’t know much about the specifics of singing, but we will see what we can do for you.”

Luckily, Kim was referred to a throat specialist named Lucy, who he says, has gone over and above to help him strengthen his vocal chords, and adapt to some of the long term side-effects. He now builds up to singing, with an elaborate warm-up routine, that involves gargling with olive oil!

“I’m so grateful to the NHS.” Kim said, “They have really been there for me when I needed them. Once my throat is all sorted, I can’t wait to get out busking.”  

Kim is supporting Leeds Cancer Appeal for Surface Guided Radiotherapy

During his treatment, the radiotherapy team told Kim about their ambition to improve treatment and offer Surface Guided technology to head & neck cancer patients.

Surface Guided Radiotherapy (SGRT) uses highly accurate 3D camera technology, to track a patient's body surface in real-time to ensure patients are positioned correctly for treatment. This means that the administration of radiation can adapt in real-time to any movement of the patient’s body and treatment can be targeted with absolute precision.

For a man whose mouth is literally his instrument, and who is also a retired engineer - efficiency of treatment is something Kim really cares about. He was excited to hear about the appeal for new equipment, and pleased to start supporting Leeds Hospitals Charity.

SGRT reduces the amount of time needed in pre-planning. A detailed 3D image of the body is taken, which radiotherapists then use to plan treatment. Patients are saved from having to travel back and forth for numerous pre-treatment appointments.

The result of real-time imaging is not only more effective treatment, but patients will no longer be required to wear a full-face mask, as there is a much lower risk of radiation exposure to healthy parts of the head. Patients can instead where an open face mask, giving a much more comfortable experience and helping to reduce anxiety.