A GRANDMOTHER who was told she probably contracted cancer through kissing said she was initially dismissed by doctors in A&E.

Victoria Workman found out she had a grade-two cancer at the base of her tongue caused by HPV, linked to kissing.

But the 57-year-old from Worthing said that before she was diagnosed with the serious illness she was told by a doctor to “gargle TCP” .

She said she was furious at the “dismissive comment” made by the consultant as she battled horrific pain in her throat and mouth.

The retired children’s work manager said the same doctor told her off for wasting time when she sought help at an accident and emergency unit in London in 2012.

She said: “Seven years ago I realised something was wrong, so my mum insisted I go to A&E to get it seen to.

“I kept choking and I had this awful cold which just wouldn’t shift and my mouth was in a lot of pain.

“There was a consultant there who said I shouldn’t be going to A&E for something as minor as a sore throat.

“He told me to gargle

some TCP and sent me on my way.

“Just after that I went for two scans and another doctor said it was apparent that I had throat and mouth cancer.”

Victoria has spoken out about her experience in the hope other throat cancer sufferers “would not be treated in the same unprofessional manner”.

During her illness, she had radiotherapy treatment every day for six weeks, which left her violently ill.

The married mother of two fears throat cancer patients are too often encouraged to

ignore the symptoms until it is too late.

Now she is training to run her first marathon in a bid to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of throat cancer.

She said: “It was obviously very scary but I’m a very strong woman and I’m the type of person that will speak up about these things.

“The NHS asked me if I was going to sue them and I said, of course not, the NHS needs every penny it gets – I just wanted them to get more training so this doesn’t ever happen to anyone else.

“The treatment was very grim and very painful but I realise how lucky I am.

“That’s why I’m determined to do something big to raise money for the Throat Cancer Foundation.”

Victoria is in the process of securing a place to run next year’s Brighton Marathon.

She is planning on wearing her favourite pearl necklace while taking part in the race to remind her of the fact she has beaten throat cancer.

She said: “I wanted to do something that was really going to challenge me because I have no fear, so that’s why I chose the marathon.

“Every time I go out running I suck in as much oxygen as I can through my mouth.

“I can feel the air on my scar tissues and it’s a reminder of how far I’ve come.”