First, welcome to OCF. Im sorry to read about the loss of your aunt and your father. Im not sure how much of a role genetics plays in oral cancer.

A sore that is there for longer than 2 weeks should be checked out. You were right to see your dentist so they can take a good look at it. Your dentist may refer you to an oral surgeon or an ENT for a biopsy. The way to tell if its cancer is thru a biopsy. Besides smoking and drinking, oral cancer can also be caused by HPV and for a very few, there is no known cause.

Congrats on being smoke free! Quitting is not an easy thing.

Hang in there and try not to worry. If you need a biopsy, by the time you get the appointment til the results come back, it could be a few weeks.

Christine
SCC 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 smile