‘Doctors reassured me I’d be fine – then I was told I had six month to live’

Littleborough: Warwick Smith was having a tough time at work. As a court clerk, he struggled to speak, and it just didn’t feel right. For months, he thought it was just laryngitis, but deep down, he knew something was off.

Despite his worries, doctors kept telling him not to stress. They referred him to a specialist, but it felt like a long wait. Meanwhile, his symptoms got worse, making it hard for his colleagues to understand him. The fear of throat cancer loomed over him, especially since his brother had passed away from it two years earlier.

Warwick finally broke down during a visit to his GP. He was desperate for answers. Luckily, a cancellation allowed him to see a specialist who took his concerns seriously. After a thorough examination and a biopsy, the news hit hard: stage 4 laryngeal cancer.

“I was so angry,” he recalled. “I thought about my brother and how unfair it all felt.” The doctors laid it out: without treatment, he had six months to live. He could opt for a total laryngectomy, which would change his life forever.

In December 2022, Warwick underwent the surgery. It was a big deal, and he spent a few days in intensive care. When he woke up, he had to learn to speak again using a stoma in his neck. It was frustrating, especially since he loved chatting with people.

But he found small wins, like ordering a pint at the pub. After the surgery, he faced six weeks of radiotherapy and tough chemotherapy. His kidney function took a hit, but he kept pushing through.

Now, doctors say he has a 40% chance of surviving for five more years. He’s waiting for scan results, hoping for remission. Warwick is also giving back by raising funds for The Oldham Quiet Ones, a support group for laryngectomy patients. He wants to help others like him get the equipment they need.