Overview
- Harriet Trewhitt, 21, was diagnosed in May with stage 2 squamous cell carcinoma after a persistent tongue ulcer.
- Surgeons at UCLH removed half her tongue and rebuilt it using skin and blood vessels from her forearm, relocating a semicolon tattoo into her mouth.
- An initial reconstruction failed, prompting emergency surgery two days later to repair blood vessels and address damaged lymph nodes.
- She completed proton beam therapy at The Christie in July and August, then relearned speech and swallowing and required a temporary feeding tube.
- Now performing again in Northallerton, she supports Cancer Research UK, notes a residual lisp and arm scarring, and plans a Drama Therapy master’s in 2026.