Hello all!

This is my first post here. I have a deep fear that I may have oral cancer. I have a sore I think on the ruff of my mouth. I recently went to a dentist and had full x-rays. I am scheduled to go this Friday again. My question is, if I did have oral cancer, would this have shown up on my x-rays? I have never had a pain quite like this, more of a discomfort. I cannot imagine what it may be from. I have went years without cleanings but never had a problem like this. Can someone tell me how to best investigate this, what kind of questions I should be asking?

Many thanks for all your help and advise.

Hermon,

Not that I'm an expert, but X-Rays will not identify oral cancer. The only sure way is via a biopsy. The first signs normally are sores within your mouth, such as you have described. First tell your dentist how long the sore has been there and ask him about squamous cell carcinoma. Be honest and prepared to tell him if you smoke, how much,if you drink and how much. These activities can increase your risk of oral cancer; however, there can be other factors to involved.

I would suggest you do a search on this site for diagnoses and indications of oral cancer. This site is loaded with all areas about oral cancer and will give you enough background information talk to your dentist. You can never have enough ammunition when you go to see your dentist.

Please keep us posted.

Anne.

Thank you Anne for the information you shared with me! I am glad you told me about the xray bit and I will look up squamous cell carcinoma. I will ask him about it as well. I am so afraid right now. I keep looking in my mouth and running my tongue around there. The spot is rough but when I look at it, I don't see anything! I do smoke and am just starting to prepare myself for my quit. It just isn't worth living like this in fear all the time. I want so bad to be free of this addiction. I used to be a heavy drinker but with the help of Jesus Christ, I have cut my drinking down drastically and am really considering abstaining altogether. I am a new Christian and I just don't want to be a slave to anything anymore.

I so hope that I am wrong, that I don't have cancer. I feel like I'm just starting to understand what life is all about and I really don't want this kind of battle right now. I'm afraid of dying in my 30's....

I am really afraid.

Ann,

I got checked out and came out fine. There was nothing even to biopsy and the pain is pretty much gone. I guess it was God's wake up call to me to stop smoking for one. I have started Wellbutrin and am planning on quiting.

I want to thank you so much for responding because I was afraid in a big way and you were the only one to even take the time to write.

God Bless You ALWAYS!!!!

Hermon, I'm glad things turned out well for you. You are right, it was a wake-up call to quit smoking. Don't be stupid like me and not heed to that call. Please email me and let me know how you are doing. If you need some encouragement write me also.

Take care and have a happy holiday.

Anne.