Ashley,

They key thing you said is that you caught it early. Survival rates for early detection and treatment for oral cancer are actually fairly good. The reason oral cancer has a bad rate of survival overall, is because most cancers are detected in later stages.

By the way, I was in a convenience store the other day and the guy next to me at the register mentioned to the clerk that he just quit smoking. Said he was worried about getting cancer. I said I had just gotten over treatment for oral cancer that I thought was brought on by my smoking. Now the shocker! The clerk behind the counter said he was a 37 year survivor of oral cancer while pointing to a small scar on his neck.

He said his was caught early and he never smoked. I asked him how life was treating him and he said all in all it was OK but he could use a better job.

Hoping your job is of more concern to you than your health for at least the next 37 years.