Man’s ‘tooth infection’ turns out to be blood cancer

By Elizabeth Hunter

A man discovered he had blood cancer - after going to his dentist about a "tooth infection."

Jamie Haxton was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma after going to the dentist.

An infection had triggered a reaction in his lymph nodes and caused a small lump to form under his jaw - which remained there for months and was unaffected by antibiotics.

The 29-year-old from Glasgow then underwent a biopsy, and a series of scans to confirm the diagnosis.

Jamie was "shocked" by the diagnosis, and was placed under active surveillance, as he had no noticeable symptoms.

However, he vowed to continue to live his life as he always did - staying active and working in his role as an online fitness coach.

Jamie said: "At the end of the day, it’s your health. I realized I could still train, still work, still walk and move.

"I even asked the doctor if I could go ahead with a five-month prep for a photoshoot I had planned and she gave me the green light.

"For me, keeping active has been such an important part of dealing with this."

Just a week after Jamie’s diagnosis, another family member also received news they had cancer and required urgent treatment.

Jamie explained that although it was a very difficult time, it brought his family closer together.

Now, the group is uniting to take part in Off The Beatson Track in support of Beatson Cancer Charity.

Jamie will be joined a total of seven family members walking together.

On 24 August, the family will run 10k - starting at the Riverside Museum, passing the Beatson Cancer Centre on Great Western Road, past Kelvingrove Museum, and looping back to the Riverside.

Jamie said: "I think the more people involved, the more powerful it is.

"Everyone wanted to be part of it, and it feels really special to be doing it together.

"Cancer is much more common than I realized until my own diagnosis, so raising awareness and support is really important to me."

Jamie has already smashed his fundraising target, raising four times his initial goal of £500.

"The support has been amazing," Jamie added.

"It’s been overwhelming to see how many people have shared the page and donated.

"It definitely gives me a boost to keep going."

Maisie McCormick, Community Fundraising Manager at Beatson Cancer Charity, said: “We’re delighted to be celebrating our 12th Off the Beatson Track event this year.

"We’re so grateful to everyone who has taken part over the years – some families have been with us since the beginning, so we hope everyone will get behind the celebrations this year and join us.

"Every single person who signs up is allowing us to support more cancer patients and their families over the years to come, and we cannot thank you enough for that.”