i lost my dad to cancer a few months back, i had a small ulcer appear 4 days ago on the left side of my tongue. this is now a white patch which is very tender. i have also found 2 small lumps under my left arm (these may not be connected). iam terrified to go to the doctors, my wife made me an appointment but i cancelled it, does this sound like tongue or mouth cancer? iam 36 with a 6yo girl x

You already know what I'm about to say; the only way to know is to see the Doctor. RIGHT NOW.

Without a proper diagnosis, you'll drive yourself crazy and, God forbid if it is a cancer, you'll give it time to do it's work. The faster you have it looked at the faster you'll know for sure.

Take a deep breath. Call the Doctor TODAY. Go and have it checked, and let us all know what you find out. We're here to help.

Cancer is a lot of things; one thing it isn't is an automatic death sentence. Don't give it an inch of ground.

I'm looking forward to hearing that it's nothing to worry about!
Wayne

Ditto to what Dragan said. The sooner you can get to the doctor and have they check the problem areas out, the better off you are. If it is cancer, you want to detect it early to increase your chances of beating it. If it is not cancer, you'll have peace of mind back and can go on with life.

I was 32 when diagnosed and just passed my 4 year clean mark.

Jim

alh - If I were your wife, I would be really upset with you for cancelling that appointment! Please, reschedule as soon as possible and get yourself to the doctor. Take someone with you so you don't change your mind mid-stream. It's better to know than to stress over the unknown. If it is cancer, then the sooner you do something about it the better off you are. You owe it to your wife and daughter and everyone who loves you to take care of your health. DO IT NOW!

Well, the choice is yours -- Stay home, worry about it, put your wife and family through worrying about it and if it is cancer, let it get a good head start to spread throughout your body OR go to Doc, get a biopsy, find out and deal with it if needed -- Seems obvious to me...

By the way, it's NOT cancer until the biopsy comes back and says it is -- Lots of things cause white spots in the mouth that aren't cancer.

ALH,

I totally agree with Pet and the rest, get it checked. I have a 7 year old son and for his sake I would go through the hell of this treatment again and again if it meant I would be here for him later in life. Every piece of literature/advice about cancer will tell you the earlier you catch it the better the odds for cure.

No one is saying you definately have cancer, but you need to know for sure. I thought I had just another throat infection that left a swollen gland (node) behind. Man was I wrong. I waited a month to get mine checked.