Young Tongues

By Barbara Fountain

The Young Tongues Podcast is a space for honest, unfiltered conversations about life with and after tongue cancer.

Hosted by founder Barbara Fountain and fellow survivors

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FAQs about Young Tongues:

How many episodes does Young Tongues have?

The podcast currently has 54 episodes available.

Young Tongues episodes:

April 04, 2025 Mus's Story Part 2
In this episode of the Young Tongues Podcast, Barbara welcomes back fellow Young Tongue Mus. Mus shares an update on his cancer journey, detailing the progression of his symptoms, diagnosis, and the treatments he's undergoing, including immunotherapy and participation in a clinical trial. Despite setbacks and complications, Mus remains determined to maintain a normal life, including celebrating his big birthday with a grand party. Barbara and Mus also discuss the importance of community support, self-advocacy in medical settings, and the shifting dynamics with friends and family in light of a chronic cancer diagnosis. The episode highlights the significance of advancements in cancer treatment and the collective power of patient communities.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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1h 19min
February 21, 2025 Lauren's story
In this episode of the Young Tongues podcast, host Barbara interviews Lauren, a member of their community. Lauren, a 39-year-old mother of three from Virginia, shares her journey with tongue cancer. Diagnosed in late 2021 after initially thinking she had an ear infection, Lauren details her painful experiences, multiple surgeries, and the severe challenges posed by radiation and chemotherapy. Despite these hardships, she talks about finding moments of joy and support through community and family. Lauren also highlights the emotional and ongoing physical impacts of her treatment, including dry mouth and loss of taste. The conversation delves deep into the personal and emotional toll of cancer, while offering insights and hope to others facing similar struggles.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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1h 14min
February 14, 2025 Pete's Story
In this episode of the Young Tongues podcast, Barbara sits down with Pete Jackson as he shares his journey with tongue cancer. Pete provides an intimate account of his life before and after diagnosis, detailing the early symptoms, the diagnostic process, and the challenges of treatment. Despite the fears and uncertainties, his resilience, positive mindset, and strong support network played a vital role in his recovery. He emphasises the power of peer support, highlighting how the Young Tongues community and other social connections were instrumental in navigating both the emotional and logistical aspects of treatment. Pete concludes with a heartfelt message of gratitude for the unwavering support of his community and the NHS.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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58min
February 07, 2025 The Radiotherapy Decision
In this episode of the Young Tongues podcast, Barbara and Jamie catch up on life events and reflect on recent activities, including World Cancer Day. A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to discussing the difficult decisions around choosing to undergo radiation therapy for tongue cancer, drawing from both Barbara's and Jamie's personal experiences. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding individual risk factors, trusting medical professionals, and the long-term impacts of treatment. They stress the significance of patient empowerment, informed decision-making, and the importance of a supportive community.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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59min
January 31, 2025 Expert Guest: Dr. Alexandra Kejner
In this episode of the Young Tongues podcast, host Barbara welcomes Dr. Alexandra Kejner, a head and neck surgeon from South Carolina. Dr. Kejner shares her personal journey and professional background, highlighting her family's origins and her path to becoming a surgeon. The discussion dives into the intricacies of head and neck surgeries, the collaborative nature of surgical teams, and advancements in reconstructive techniques. The conversation also covers scar management, cosmetic concerns post-surgery, and the importance of holistic post-operative care. Dr. Kejnershares insights on maintaining a balance between professional demands and personal life, emphasizing the significance of peer support among female surgeons. The episode ends with a vision for future collaborations between healthcare professionals and patient organizations to improve outcomes for young tongue cancer patients.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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1h 17min
January 24, 2025 Kelly's Story
In this episode of The Young Tongues Podcast, Barbara interviews Kelly, about her experience with tongue cancer. Kelly details her initial symptoms, misdiagnoses, and the prolonged delays before receiving an accurate diagnosis and treatment. Throughout the conversation, Kelly highlights the lack of communication and inconsistent standards of care she faced. Despite these challenges, she shares how her eventual treatment team provided the support she needed. Kelly also discusses her mission to raise awareness about these issues by sharing her story through various media platforms. The episode concludes with a call for uniform standards in cancer treatment and support across the UK.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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1h
January 17, 2025 Expert Guest: Dr Elizabeth Marsh
In this episode of the Young Tongues Podcast, Barbara Fountain speaks with Dr Elizabeth Marsh, an Associate Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology. Dr Marsh specialises in researching human papillomavirus (HPV) and its role in causing head and neck cancers. The conversation covers a range of topics, including Dr Marsh's professional background, the nature of HPV, its transmission, and the differences between HPV-related cancers of the cervix and those of the head and neck. The discussion also explores the effects of the HPV vaccine.
Questions from the audience address subjects such as the specifics of HPV strains, the accuracy of testing, vaccine effectiveness, and the potential influence of hormones on tumour growth. The episode highlights the significance of continued research and the encouraging prospects for advancements in HPV-related cancer treatments.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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1h 6min
January 10, 2025 Expert Guest: Dr Roganie Govender
In this episode of the Young Tongues podcast, Barbara welcomes speech pathologist and audiologist Dr Roganie Govender. The conversation delves into Dr Roganie Govender professional journey and contributions to speech and language therapy, especially for head and neck cancer patients. The discussion covers the importance of person-centered care, the role of speech and language therapy in recovery, and the ongoing research aimed at improving patient outcomes. They address listener questions about rehabilitation timelines, the benefits of prehabilitation, and practical exercises to improve speech post-treatment, emphasizing patience and the personalized nature of therapy.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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58min
January 03, 2025 Happy New Year
In this episode of the Young Tongues podcast, hosts Barbara and Jamie mark the show's one-year anniversary. They share their experiences navigating the Christmas season and strategies for coping with post-holiday fatigue. Reflecting on the challenges of living with and recovering from tongue cancer, Barbara also reveals the Young Tongues' plans for the year ahead, including new virtual and in-person meetups, volunteer recruitment, and the launch of a patient resource website.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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54min
December 20, 2024 Maria's Story
In this episode of the Young Tongues podcast, Barbara talks to Maria Scott, a 47-year-old tongue cancer survivor. Maria shares her journey from being diagnosed with pre-cancerous cells in 2014 to going through stage 4 squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue. She discusses the rigorous treatments she underwent, including a hemiglossectomy, neck dissection, radiation, and chemotherapy. Maria also details the long-term effects of her treatment, such as radiation fibrosis, which severely limits her mobility and quality of life. Despite the challenges, Maria highlights the importance of advocating for oneself and finding joy in life through the support of her family, partner, and dogs. She expresses hope for new treatments and trials that may alleviate the symptoms of radiation fibrosis and improve the lives of cancer survivors.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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27min

FAQs about Young Tongues:

How many episodes does Young Tongues have?

The podcast currently has 54 episodes available.