| | Joined: Jul 2014 Posts: 1 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Jul 2014 Posts: 1 | Hi. I am a 49 year old white female. I have had breast cancer and then basal cell carcinoma on my foot and 2 other skin cancers on my face all in the past few years.
Now I am noticing a rough patch on my gum near a molar on the top. I have felt it with my tongue for a couple weeks and thought is was like a popcorn kernel or something stuck there. When I look with a flashlight in the mirror I can see white, round patch. It feels scaly or rough.Very small, like 3 mm. Not painful. My questions are:
Who is the first person I should contact about this? A dentist? I want to do this right.
What type of biopsy should be done?
I feel like I am destined to get cancer again and again.
In my mind I already know this is some early cancer.
I have a history of alcohol and smoking heavily in my teens and twenties, but quit all together at age 27.
Thanks and I apologize if this is not the right way to use this forum.
Last edited by LauraJP1964; 07-24-2014 04:25 AM.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 6 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 6 | Welcome to OCF! You made your first post perfectly, so no worries about the small stuff  Any sore in the mouth that has been there for more than 2 or 3 weeks should be checked by a professional. I suggest finding an ENT who specializes in treating oral cancer patients. Not all ENTs are created equal, some mainly put tubes in childrens ears. Only thru a biopsy will they be able to tell for certain what it is. there are all kinds of things it could be besides cancer so please dont get ahead of yourself. Being a cancer survivor already, you know how this plays out and it will take a few weeks until you know for sure what it is. Keeping busy will help pass the time. Best wishes!
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | As Christine says you need to have a ENT check this out asap.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | |
| Forums23 Topics18,168 Posts196,924 Members13,103 | | Most Online458
Jan 16th, 2020 | | |
|
