In 2020, in the thick of lockdown, our world turned upside down. Martin was diagnosed with throat cancer. It came completely out of the blue, and what made it even more shocking was the cause: a virus. Not COVID-19, as one might assume during that year, but HPV – the human papillomavirus.
We were floored.
What we Didn’t Know Could Hurt Us
Like many people, we had no idea HPV could lead to cancer. We were told it was viral, something Martin had likely carried unknowingly for decades. It lay dormant all that time and eventually developed into throat cancer.
HPV is extremely common – most adults will have it at some point in their lives. For the vast majority, it causes no issues at all and is cleared by the immune system without symptoms. But in some cases, the virus stays in the body and, years – even decades – later, can trigger cancers such as the one Martin developed.
We had no warning. No symptoms until it was too late.
Left Reeling
We were completely at a loss. How did this happen? What would it mean for us now, and in the future? No one prepares you for this kind of diagnosis, least of all when it’s caused by something you didn’t even know existed in this way. It was a bewildering experience.
But that’s when we found help and information – through The Throat Cancer Foundation.
Turning Pain into Purpose
The Foundation not only helped us navigate the storm we were suddenly thrown into, but they also brought something else into focus: prevention. It’s now known that early vaccination against HPV can protect children – both boys and girls – from the risk of developing HPV-related cancers later in life. Awareness of this is crucial.
We had never heard of it before Martin’s diagnosis. But now, we want every parent, every partner, every family to know. Because knowledge can save lives.
The Throat Cancer Foundation continues to be a lifeline for many families. They offer support, information, and a voice in a space that so often feels silent. We can’t stress enough how vital that information for many others like us is.
If you take one thing from our story, let it be this: talk about HPV. Get informed. And if you can, vaccinate your children. We wish we had known sooner – we truly do.
Rachel and Martin.
