A regular trip to the dentist saved a retiree’s life, following 6 months of him postponing his appointment.

67-year-old Phil Beer was diagnosed with cancer of the tonsils in 2020, which was spotted during an overdue 6-monthly checkup.

Leading Bedfordshire dentist, Richard Miller-White, spotted the signs and caught the disease early, prompting Phil to call the doctor that same day. 

The retired father-of-five from Kimpton revealed: “I am usually on the ball with regular check-ups and have been seeing Richard as my dentist for about 10 years, but managed to miss the 6-month mark on this occasion.

“I noticed my tonsils were very inflamed, but didn’t think too much about it. I had a feeling that I should’ve done something sooner, but I just left it as I didn’t feel any discomfort. 

“Then I saw Richard and he suggested going to see a doctor immediately - the same day. 

“I made an emergency appointment to get seen the same day and was fast-tracked to Luton and Dunstable Hospital where a biopsy was taken. Then I received the cancer diagnosis.”

A record of nearly 10,000 (9,293) cases were identified to have oral cancer in the last year. 

Around two-thirds of men and Britons over 60 are among the groups largely affected by the disease – with 50 per cent diagnosed at stage four.

Phil continued: “I then underwent radiotherapy, receiving a high dosage on my neck every day in the June of that year. It was awful.

“While the radiation is targeted and is beneficial in the long run, it leaves you with first-degree burns on your neck and lots of discomfort.

“I was very lucky that it was isolated to my tonsils. This is mostly because it was caught early and hadn’t spread.

“It’s devastating for those who don’t catch it straight away. 

“It was agony trying to eat and swallow, and coughing would hurt my tongue. I also lost a lot of control over my saliva glands but am gradually regaining control now.

“Luton hospital wanted to put a tube into my stomach so I could still get nutrients without discomfort caused by eating, however, they struggled putting the stint in, so this was avoided.

“I’d been really inactive during the 5-year recovery period and I’m still trying to find energy to do things.

“Sometimes it’s difficult to tell if it’s your age or something more sinister. 

“It’s important to not ignore your body’s red flags.

“I feel bad for those who cannot afford or have access to the dentist. They are truly a lifeline, and Richard was literally a life saver in this case.

“Richard has kept everything in check and guided me along the way. I am still here and able to see my kids grow up and meet my grandkids because of Richard’s proactivity.”

Richard works closely with several cancer patients, having completed a masters degree in Oral medicine at the Eastman Dental Institute.

The dentist said: "For Phil, the cancer was found early and promptly treated. Unfortunately, most head and neck cancers present at stage 3 or 4, and the outcome is not always as good as Phil’s.

"It’s now more significant than ever that patients know what signs to look out for this disease. Frequent dental care checks are crucial for detection, earlier diagnosis and treatment. 

“And they are a lot easier and less invasive than checks for breast or prostate cancers.

“If caught early, like Phil’s, then we can work on how we can tackle the issue straight away. 

"Symptoms include red or white patches inside your mouth, an ulcer that lasts longer than three weeks in your mouth, a lump inside your mouth or on your lip, experiencing pain inside your mouth and difficulty swallowing, difficulty speaking or a hoarse voice, a lump in your neck or throat or experiencing weight-loss without trying.

“If you fear you may have oral cancer, or you’re unsure about any of the above issues, go to your dentist. From there, they can ask you more questions, physically examine you and then recommend next steps.

“Addressing any issue head on is key. Even if it doesn’t turn out to be mouth cancer, it’s still a step in the right direction to get treatment - or prevent it.

“In order to lower you risk of mouth cancer, you should focus on eating a healthy diet with five portions of fruit and veg a day; exercise regularly; try to avoid drinking more than 14 units a week; try to quit smoking and discontinue chewing tobacco.

"With cancer diagnoses on the rise, don’t leave things too late or neglect your dental health."

Richard Miller-White has been running his own dental practice for over 30 years in Barton-le-Clay, receiving over 100 5-star reviews.