I am not sure if I fit the requirements here, I have not been diagnosed with oral cancer, but have had a few scares. I am 28, and have been using smokeless tobacco off and on since I was 18. I guess you could say I am an idiot, I knew the risks of using, I have seen the pictures. I have even had 2 biopsies performed; 1 on the outside of my lip, a small white spot when I was 22, and 1 underneath my tongue when I was 25. The first was, I guess, leukoplakia, it has never been back, the dr. that cut it out said it was most likely caused from sun exposure. At the time, I had just started dipping (3 months prior) again after a 3 year layoff. This prompted another 2 1/2- 3 year quit, followed by a 6 month stupidity run, and my 2nd biopsy, under my tongue. The dentist I went to in Albuquerque, took a brush biopsy, came back atypical, went to an oral surgeon, who said it was an inflamed salivary gland. This prompted a 1 year or so quit. And stupidity won out again. I have been using for the past 2 1/2 years. I have decided to quit again, hoping it to be my last. I have found a white spot on my gums, my upper gums, I have only put the tobacco there a couple of times, maybe 5 or 6 times total, but know that that does not matter. I am also keeping my cool about this scare. I have read up on the odds, realize I am more at risk than a non-user, but also that most things that pop up in your mouth turn out to be nothing. I was eating some tortilla chips last night, maybe I scraped my gums? I have made an appointment for this Wednesday to see my dentist, he is oral cancer specialist here in Odessa, TX. Anyway, I would like to thank everyone on this board for sharing your stories and your scares, this is a tremendous site. I hope I put this in the right post, if not I apologize.

Ben

Hi Ben,

You are in the right place and hopefully you will not need any other advice from us. As a dentist and an oral cancer survivor, I have found myself in a unique position on this forum. I have learned so much here and continue to do so every day. I am currently trying to get one of my patients to stop using chewing tobacco and it has been an uphill battle.

I hope that this time is the last time that you have to quit. I am happy to read that you have an appointment and I hope that it turns out to be nothing.

Please let us know the results of your visit and biopsy, if done. And most of all, we would love to hear that you are having continuing success with avoiding tobacco.

Jerry

Ben,

I forgot to mention that you should check out the website of one of our members, if you haven't already done so: www.outdoortexan.com.

Jerry

Hello Ben,

First off, if dipping itself makes you an idiot, then we can be idiots together. I dipped for some 30 years. I was,as the Travis Tritt song says, 10 foot tall and bulletproof. I too quit dipping about 6 years ago, then one fishing trip, I decided one dip wouldn't hurt. And actually, I dont think it did. It was the several hundred follow up dips. When the spot showed up on the inside of my cheek, I became worried. I still had a dip occasionally, but I worried. Then the trip to the oral surgeon.

That was September last year. I am finally get back into the swing of things. I have troubles with my shoulder and neck due to the invasiveness of the surgery. Eating sometimes is challenging. But I am alive. And I am so very lucky all things considered.

Now, you are not an idiot. And beating yourself up will do nothing but give you a headache. Now is the time to move forward. You have realized what needs to be done and just as important, you have reached out for a helping hand. You can always reach me through here or by direct email through my website, www.outdoortexan.com , and I will do all I can to lend you the support needed. The people on here are great and no, you dont have to have had cancer to be here.

I wish you only the best on you new direction. You are now a "brother in quit". Take care and God bless, Curtis

Curtis,
I just paid a visit your website and all I have to say is God Bless You.. What a special person you are to start such a wonderful project for the future of these kids that have no idea the harm they are doing to themselves.
I just think that what your doing really matters and that must feel good...you have beautiful children.

Good Luck in your fight Ben...

Hi Ben,
I said a little prayer for you that this spot you have will turn out to be nothing. If it is something, we're here for you. Don't beat yourself up over the fact that you dipped, no one deserves cancer and I don't care if they smoke and drink nonstop..............NO ONE DESERVES CANCER. At times I will see some on this board say things like "and I didn't even smoke" and it kind of takes me back. Women that get breast cancer, plenty of them don't smoke!! Yet they still get cancer. There are plenty of people that DON'T smoke that get oral cancer and plenty that DO smoke that don't get it. I chalk it up to bad luck and, if you have to join our club, please do the same. Let us know what you find out.
Minnie