Hi Everyone,

Thought I would introduce myself on here. I'll try not to come off as a hypochondriac but I'd be lying if it said I wasn't scared. Here's my story:

8 months ago I noticed a dime sized lump/papule on the right side of my tongue, almost right where the tongue and cheek meet at the base. I thought it was weird but didn't think anything of it. 3 months later, there were no changes but thought I should get it checked out by a doctor. She looked at it, noticed the back of my throat and tonsils were red and said she wouldn't be too concerned about it. She said most people my age (25) have larger tonsils. I asked if she was absolutely sure I shouldn't get this checked out by a specialist, I said it couldn't hurt right? She said no, just monitor it for now, if there are any changes please come back. I decided to just let it go, and waited another 3 months.

Last week, I went to a new dentist and had all kinds of questions and checkups done. They asked if I've ever had an oral cancer screening, and it hit my like a slap in the face. I said no, but I'd really be interested in having one done. The screening was done by using a device called a Velscope. If you're not sure what it is, it shines a blue light into your mouth. Healthy tissue would appear fluorescent, while unhealthy suspicion tissue would appear dark.

The first time the doctor looked at it, it was for like 10 seconds and it seemed pretty quick. So I asked can you check again and focus on the area that has the lump/papule? She checked and she seemed unsure about it like my last doctor. She also said it doesn't look bad, and on the Velscope it's fluorescent so it should be healthy tissue. She said if I am concerned about it though she can refer me to an Oral Maxillofacial Surgeon. I accepted, and I have my appointment tomorrow.

Like I said, I'm pretty scared. Every time doctors look at the back of my throat they don't know why it's so red, and they kind of brush it off after I say I don't feel sick or have allergies. Sometimes a get a dull pain in my throat, neck and ear.

I can't help but notice from other posts people are saying go see an ENT doctor, I'm not sure if things just work differently here in Canada (Ontario) but I'm seeing an Oral Maxillofacial Surgeon instead tomorrow where I will get a consultation and biopsy. I don't smoke at all, only tried it once in the past and hated it. I drink alcohol maybe once a month. I am sexually active though... I'm just trying to stay calm...

Does anyone have any advice? Anyone in Canada possibly? Well anyone's help would be really appreciated... help...