I was diagnosed at 24 - my symptoms were similar to yours; however, I am pretty sure mine started out as leukoplakia and if i hadn't ignored it for so long it may not have even turned into cancer. i had the symptoms for over a year before i finally got it checked out and diagnosed. so catching it early is key! and i'm still here and kicking, so it is not a death sentence. if you have it, know you can beat it and fight it, but also know it really is uncommon in our demographic, so there is a very large chance it is nothing! if it is something though, i think being young makes it easier to bounce back. good luck!

Hi again,

I know it wasn't your intention to scare me at all. I would print a bunch of stuff off and show her, but my printer's decided it won't work right now, and I don't think she listen anymore anyway.

It's great that we have practically free health care, just not so great that the people who are I charge of the systems, are that great at their jobs. In the end it always comes down to money.

I completely agree that doctors need to learn to stop just looking at people with high risk factors, and those who fit into a normal demographic, as they are NOT the only ones who can get cancer.

Whilst it's not something I ever want to be told of course, I'm not quite as scared of being told I have cancer, but more because it's oral cancer and looking at the 5 year (or even 1 and 3) prognosis percentages online; it's so low. I think the fact that I could have something that has a high chance of ending my life in under 5 years, absolutely petrifies me. I know in jumping the gun a little, and I'm sure there are many people who have had some form of oral cancer and are still alive 5+ years, it's just so much easier to focus on the negatives rather than the positives.

The things your own body can do to you, both mentally and physically is terrifying.

Hi Emily,

I'm sorry you and everyone else in this forum have had to go through what you have.

I'm hoping it does turn out to be something benign and I can stop worrying, as I'm not helping myself and it's making me feel sick just thinking about it. Whilst its more likely it's something completely innocent, the fact that I'm fully capable of having cancer is what keeps playing through my mind and is now fully stuck in there, which may it may not be a good thing; depending on what results I get a when I do finally get properly tested.

That and the fact that I do not get ill, have never had a problem with my tongue before and only ever had a sore throat for 2 weeks at most, and that time I had strep throat (when I was about 14 I think).

Jade

I am awaiting biopsy results, its been a terrible two weeks but i guess at least they are checking. The maxillosurgeon i saw said it doesnt look suspicious but as i am 31 with a four year old i have been imagining the worst and how i would deal with it. My life has always been tragically eventful and i think its that i feel i just cant take anymore. And when i quit smoking for two years i used to crunch those stupid nicotine lozenges around my mouth and have been paranoid about that as i used them for two years and had canker sores and a terrible stomach. That all cleared up but since then i have panicked about it. My scare is an ulcer on floor of mouth under tongue been there i think for about two months. And i have since the biopsy noticed a small spot in gum jawline. Have been losing sleep crying reading everything under the sun. This site is full of the most admirable and brave people, i am amazed and its so good to be able to share concerns but so brave that people who are suffering from oc are reaching out to others. The biopsy was painless and healing is good. Btw i paid two hundred pounds to see the consultant who kindly put me back through the nhs system for the biopsy. Local doc suggested a stone and gp said just an ulcer but the surgeon deals with this all the time and gets right n the case, might even be able to rest your mind a bit good luck. I hope i get some good results tomorrow xxxxx

Jade

Just re read your post and that you said you cant afford it. Seriously, go the the doc show them your tongue and tell them to want a specialist to see your tongue so that they can determine what it is and thats that. Its your health, dont be talked out of it. Sometimes we have to be firm with the doctor, and i mean that with all due respect, you need answers and for that a specialist.

Hey Tamsin

I'm sorry to hear what you are currently going through. I'll keep my fingers crossed that you get the all clear and won't have to worry any longer.

Indeed the people on this site who have been diagnosed or are supporting those who have are incredibly brave and amazing for being able to fight like they have. If my fears come true, I'm honestly not sure I could deal with it very well at all.

My doctor knows I'm worried about my tongue but keeps passing it off, as for some reason she thinks I should be throwing up and being extremely tired all the time. But those are not really symptoms if this type if cancer as far as I'm aware, and evening they are it doesn't mean that they are symptoms I would have. Hopefully the doctor will listen this time though as I'm worried it soread to my throat as it feels different, and I can feel something in it (if I stick my fingers down it, which I do sometimes when I taste blood to see if there is any) that's not supposed to be in there, or even if it is it's changed in how it feels.

I suffered from fatigue (and still do but due to the treatment) before I was Dx'd and treated. I also had swollen lymph nodes that continued to grow, especially in the two months it took between being Dx'd and the start of treatment.

It seems to me that some of the things you're reporting would not go away or come and go. I had no pain, sore throat or issues eating or swallowing. However, prior to my surgery in February, I began to feel a fullness and discomfort on the left side of my neck where the cancerous lymph nodes were. It continued to get worse. It was due to the size and them pressing on nerves and vital structures.

It's very obvious this is causing you a great deal of stress. Sometimes you have to be your own advocate in a situation like this. There's nothing wrong with getting on your soapbox and demanding they do something and refer you. The old saying "The squeaky wheel gets the oil" may just apply in this situation.

"T"

Hello again,

Yep most of the pain I have comes and goes, and the severity and type of sore throat changes. By type I mean, sometimes it feel like a normal sore throat; varying in levels of severity, and then it feels like an mild ache deeper in the tissue of my throat. It's all very strange.

The tongue swelling is constant though unfortunately, and that's where my main worries lie at the moment. That and the on off (as in can be hours or days apart) mild ache I get at the top of my neck around my jaw on the right hand side.

It strange that my symptons seem to change everyday. I can go to sleep with a pain somewhere and it will be give next morning and may or may not come back so write during the day. Though I do have either a dry or achey throat whenever I wake to recently.

Hoping the doctor will have a thorough and proper check Friday and the. Give me the referal, whether or not she can see anything; as it really does need to be properly checked by a professional, no matter how scared I am to actual have proper tests, if it is cancer then it's not going away by itself and ignoring it would just be silly.

There's a reply on CSN you should read. I think it will help a lot!

"T"

I just now looked at it and sent a quick reply. Though I think I should be off to sleep now, I don't need to add the symptoms of sleep deprivation into the mix as well.