Hello all,
I was recently diagnosed with mild oral dysplasia under my tongue. My doctor was just as surprised as I was considering I do not drink or smoke, am young (26) and am not sexually active. We are going to watch it and I am going back in a month to assess it again. Needless to say I am nervous about this and was wondering what I should expect. The Dr. told me it as a very small chance to progress to cancer ( he told me like 2%) but I am naturally still worried.

Thanks!

Welcome to OCF! Im sorry to hear of your dysplasia diagnosis. Your doc is correct, most dysplasia does not turn into cancer but sometimes it can change. By your being observant by checking it every few weeks if any changes would happen you will catch it super early. Hopefully yours will not change and you will not need any further treatment.

Thanks for the response! I'm just shocked because I have no risk factors like I mentioned.. It's just disappointing to have something always on my mind. I know I should be glad it's nothing yet but it still bothers me.

You are doing the right things! I can understand how it causes anxiety as I also have no risk factors, but these things change, new risks develop. Keep doing what you are doing and seek help on how to deal with having it on your mind if you find it to be overwhelming. Find what works for you, eating healthy, meditation and yoga and walks seem to make me feel better.

The 'no risk factors' thing is getting more and more common. What that really means is that there's a lot they don't know, and a lot they didn't know they didn't know. Your chances of having cancer are slim, but you wouldn't be alone if it did happen. You take care of yourself, be aware but not anxious, and know that folks here are on your side.