Greg Vincent
"You know your own body, if something doesn’t feel or seem right, it probably isn’t."
At 53, Greg Vincent is not only a dedicated husband and father from Adelaide but also a resilient survivor of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Married to Anita for 27 years and father to Chloe and Hannah, Greg balances family life with a demanding role as Managing Director at a planning consultancy.
Greg’s cancer journey began unexpectedly in June 2022 when he discovered a lump on his neck. Wasting no time, he saw his GP the very next day. What followed was a whirlwind of scans, biopsies, and appointments that ultimately led to a diagnosis of metastatic basaloid squamous cell carcinoma. “It was shocking, but I trusted my GP and the medical team completely,” Greg recalls. He opted for surgery over chemotherapy and radiation, a decision influenced by watching his wife undergo chemotherapy for lymphoma years earlier.
Pain, sleep deprivation, and side effects like nerve damage and speech difficulties made recovery challenging. “The hardest part was the pain after surgery and not being able to eat properly,” he says. Yet just weeks after surgery, Greg returned to work part-time, eventually resuming full-time duties with the same drive that has helped him lead in both life and business.
Two years on, Greg’s scans remain clear, though he continues to monitor his health closely. He’s candid about lingering side effects such as facial numbness and throat tightness, but his spirit remains undeterred. “Early diagnosis gave me the best chance,” he says. “If something feels wrong, don’t ignore it.”
Greg’s message is simple but powerful: “Stay positive and trust the advice your treating professionals provide. Be prepared to seek early medical advice if you notice any abnormality. You know your own body, if something doesn’t feel or seem right, it probably isn’t.”
By sharing his story, Greg hopes to inspire others to speak up, get checked, and find support through organisations like HANCA.
