Mother diagnosed with cancer after dental hygienist spots symptom
by Gaby Bissett
A patient who got diagnosed with cancer following a trip to the dentist is calling on the public to check unusual symptoms.
Jane Jackson had her skin cancer discovered after a dental hygienist noticed a cancerous mole on her neck during treatment, reports the Irish Mirror.
As a result, she got a dermatology appointment through her GP and had her mole removed and tested.
Get symptoms checked
The doctor found she had stage 1b skin cancer.
But now Jane is urging others to get symptoms checked – and to not let the circumstances put them off.
‘All you have to do is pick up the phone,’ she said.
‘I cried when I was told. My doctor was so kind and apologised for her mask and that social distancing meant she couldn’t comfort me and that I couldn’t have someone with me.’
The Irish Cancer Society (ICS) estimates that one in four people did not attend a GP or hospital appointment when they needed it during the first lockdown.
Vaccination strategy
This comes as the society confirms the order of priority for cancer patients when it comes to the COVID-19 vaccination.
Cancer patients may be included in any of the 15 categories set out in the vaccination strategy. This depends on a number of different factors.
However, current cancer patients between the ages of 18 and 69 who are extremely high risk are prioritised. The categories are:
- Category 5 –those aged 65 to 69, prioritising those with medical conditions
- Category 7 – those aged 18 to 64 with medical conditions.
