Life after tongue cancer doesn't end when treatment finishes and neither do the challenges. In this honest and wide-ranging conversation, Barbara and Stef reflect on the realities of long-term survivorship that often go unspoken. From heat sensitivity, lymphedema and swallowing difficulties to chronic fatigue, brain fog and the daily balancing act of self-care, they explore what it really means to live beyond a cancer diagnosis.

The episode also takes a deeper look at the emotional side of survivorship, discussing delayed grief, burnout within patient advocacy, and how supporting others while living with your own diagnosis can take an invisible toll. Barbara and Stef share their own experiences of navigating identity, finding balance, and learning that healing is rarely a straight line. They also pay tribute to beloved Young Tongues community member Mus, reflecting on his extraordinary resilience, the impact of clinical trials, and the legacy he leaves behind. Along the way, Barbara shares exciting updates on the future of Young Tongues, the Patient Hub, and her new role as Interim Chair of the Head and Neck Cancer Coalition UK.

This episode is a reminder that survivorship is about far more than being cancer-free—it's about learning to live, grieve, grow and keep moving forward together.

If you’ve been diagnosed with tongue cancer (or are supporting someone who has), you can find help here:

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