'Getting checked early was vital' - dad thanks early detection for giving him a fighting chance against cancer

It all started in the summer of 2022, when Daniel Morrison, 39, from Cambuslang, Lanarkshire, first noticed bubbles of fluid forming under his tongue.

Coupled with nausea and overwhelming fatigue, the dad-of-two knew something wasn’t right, so he booked an appointment with his dentist. The symptoms weren’t your average cancer red flags – but thought it was better to be safe than sorry.

“After visiting my dental practice, I got tests done and they found a small lump in my neck,” Daniel says. “Initially, I was told it was likely nothing – perhaps a minor block in my salivary gland.

“A further series of tests were then run, which showed no signs of cancer, but the doctors wanted to be totally sure, so ran some further checks.”

Those additional tests proved life-changing for Daniel as two tumours were discovered, one benign and one malignant. The benign tumour had masked the rare salivary gland cancer on earlier scans. Ironically, Daniel was told, its presence may have saved his life, as it prevented the malignant tumour from spreading further.

Going from bubbles under the tongue to being told you have cancer was undoubtedly a huge shock, but there was one silver lining to the news.

“What’s for sure, though, is that getting everything checked early was vital to giving me the best chance of this all being discovered and treated,” Daniel says.

In April 2023, Daniel underwent extensive surgery lasting around 19 hours across two days.

“The efficiency of the teams looking after me was really reassuring, everyone was so professional and helpful,” he recalls.

“I’m so thankful as I’m a young dad with young children who need me. Early detection has definitely been essential in getting me to the stage I’m at now, where I can look