I also agree with Brett's statement. Lets stop playing the BLAME GAME and just live. After all it is not going to change anything that has already happened to us. I realize it is Human Nature to seek the WHY in everything......But, I do not think we will ever have a definate answer to WHY when it comes to Cancer.
David

Oral hygiene practices have no correlation to oral cancer. However, statistics can be manipulated anyway that you like. There have been several studies published decades ago showing that people who practice unhealthy lifestyles, (which might include smoking, drinking, eating too much fat, not getting enough exercise, and on and on) have higher disease rates including cancer. Another study suggests that if you do not practice good oral hygiene you are probably lax in the other categories of taking care of yourself as well. While you could extrapolate between these studies a correlation between poor oral health and increased cancer risk, it would require a couple of leaps of logic, that are not considered in the studies. That a hospital would put out an old wives tale does not surprise me much, I see it all the time, and the web is full of it. We are all the architects of our own situations, whether by choices or by genetic make up, or some combination of the two. The best that you can do in life is try to avoid those things that are KNOWN to have severe health risks, and then hope that your genetic make up will take care of the rest. Surely if you eat a diet high in saturated fat you are going to clog your arteries, and have a high chance of getting a heart attack or stroke. If you smoke or chew tobacco you are exposing yourself to over 400 carcinogens

OK, I confess...

I brought on the risk of cancer with my high risk life. I went through a period of my life that I smoked heavily, cigarettes, cigars, pot. I was a teenage alcoholic, waking up in unknown places often at the age of 17. I burned through women like there was no tomorrow and rarely talked to one woman twice. Thank God AIDS wasn't around back then or I would have received the death sentence. I had 10 or 15 cavities between 19 and 20, living off of pop and Snickers between the heroin, cocaine and crystal meth. Heck, we did crystal meth before it was even cool back in the 70's.

I know without a doubt that I am to blame with my careless lifestyle from 14-21. I prayed for God's mercy many times, especially after I died from a heroin overdose at age 17 and age 19. I was revived by a friend and a friend who was a nurse. I am not bragging but I am not ashamed either. IYAMWHATIYAM! I have used my hard life to educate others and help steer young adults in a different direction. I have worked with runaways and ex-cons. I truly believe if my life's experiences can help only one other person, it was worth it all.

I never graduated from high school but I earned an Associated degree (in prison) and a Bachelor's degree in accounting. I paid my dues tenfold and I earned my right to be in this world. I have kept my nose clean for about 30 years, don't do drugs and raise my children to be law-abiding, respectable, contributing members of society. When I go I will know with certainty that I have touched many lives and the world is a bit better because of my efforts.

Oh, I forgot to mention I have worked in the meat industry for 23 years and literally every weekend of that time has been spent developing the best smoked pork ribs known to man! I either smoke meat on a smoker or grill on the barbecue about 300 days of the year. Heck, I should be the Squamous Cell Carcinoma poster child (er...old man).

Ed

That does not surprise me Helen...it is still very much " Doctor Father God "in the British hospitals. You know better..You can handle them !

cheers Marica

Ed, oh my... you must have driven your poor mother crazy.. lol. What a great positive attitude you have. I would vote for you as the poster "OLD MAN".
Marica

Well Marica
Not only is the hospitals web site rubish but the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing.. from possible surgery on the 5th may now have a new appointment with a different head and neck clinic on the 7th.. Still two consultants on my case that would cost in the states... Just need the team to decide what they are going to do this time... my nerves are shattered.. and the sales of spanish red wine must have hit record figures... it's all inside of me.. oh well
love and hugs
Helen

Thats what we need to hear...that great sense of humour.
At least you are getting lots of attention.
Hang in there gal..this too shall pass , along with the plonk...lol
Marica