Anthony Worden
'It’s been a hell of a journey, and if I can help others, I’m up for it.'
Anthony “Tony” Worden, 54, lives in West Lakes, South Australia, with his wife Lisa, his partner of 33 years. Together, they have two adult children. A forklift operator by trade, Tony enjoys fishing, working out at the gym, and spending time at the beach.
Tony’s Head and Neck Cancer journey began in September 2021, when a persistent sore throat and bleeding, paired with his Lisa’s observation that he had started snoring prompted him to see a doctor. What they initially expect to be a sleep apnea diagnosis led to a same-day referral to emergency care. Tony was diagnosed with HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer—a 5cm tumour on his tonsil.
Reflecting on the moment, Tony says, “I was shocked. I’d never heard of this cancer before. Life changed immediately—it was financially difficult, and it made me feel alone as some people I called friends and family didn’t visit anymore. You really find out who’s in your corner.”
Tony underwent 35 rounds of radiation and six cycles of chemotherapy, which took a significant toll on his body. “The hardest part was not refusing treatment because it made me so sick. I had ulceration in my mouth and tongue, fatigue, exhaustion, and couldn’t eat, drink, or swallow. Thank God for the PEG tube.” He relied on the tube for five months, and getting it removed was a pivotal turning point.
The treatment left lasting effects, including a permanent change in his taste profile. “No sugar—it tastes like shit and turns sour,” Tony explains. Other side effects include dry mouth due to reduced saliva, ringing in the ears, stiffness in his neck and jaw, and tingling in his extremities. Yet Tony remains positive, saying, “The good days outweigh the bad days. I just keep moving—exercise and avoid the foods I can’t eat.”
Tony credits his wife and children as his greatest support. “Lisa had to juggle running her business and taking care of me and my appointments since I couldn’t drive. I couldn’t work for nine months, and she carried us through.”
Cancer changed Tony’s outlook on life. “I’m glad I got it because I took my life for granted. Now I do everything. We’re moving to Broome next year, just like we’ve always wanted to,” he says.
Exercise has become a cornerstone of his recovery, helping him physically and mentally. “I go to the gym every day,” Tony notes. Walking in salt water has also been a key part of his healing process.
Still, the fear of recurrence lingers. “It’s always in the back of your head,” he admits, but he’s adopted a mindset that helps him stay grounded. “It is what it is. Gotta have goals.”
Tony wants others to know that Head and Neck Cancer is no small challenge. “HNC might seem like it’s just another cancer, but the treatment is the most brutal.” His advice? “Listen to the health professionals and your body. Follow their advice to the letter. It’s okay to have bad days. Exercise and don’t give up. Drive it like you stole it.”
Tony is deeply thankful for the care he received at Lyell McEwin and Royal Adelaide Hospitals, singling out Dr. Hodge, Dr. Ramkumar Govindaraj, and Nurse Consultant Caroline Whiteford for their expertise and compassion. “The public health system in Adelaide was fantastic,” he says. Participating in this campaign is his way of giving back. “It’s been a hell of a journey, and if I can help others, I’m up for it.”
For Tony, every day is a good day—and one step closer to his goal of a new adventure in Broome.