Hi everyone,
I joined this forum about 2 weeks ago and am truly impressed with the wealth of information it offers, as well as the wonderful support the members are giving to each other! Being distracted by all the interesting information and various discussions I didn't get around to introducing myself... so here is a summery of my story:

During a routine check-up earlier this year my dentist, who is faculty and always performs an oral exam, found a lump on my palate which I had not even noticed myself since it was in the back of my mouth (at the junction of the soft and hard palate) and completely asymptomatic. I saw different specialists at UCSF who all thought it was probably nothing but a clogged up saliva gland. After all
being a healthy and physically fit 38 year old woman who does not smoke, drinks little, and takes very good care of her teeth, I didn't fit the profile. But to everyone's surprise the biopsy came back as low grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma.

I was immediately referred to an oral surgeon who performed an additional biopsy which confirmed the initial findings. After playing the excruciating waiting game for an MRI and chest x-rays, and then for the results, the tumor was determined to be Stage I. I can't even begin to describe the tremendous relief, and have been counting my blessings ever since while keeping a very positive attitude throughout the whole ordeal. I had surgery 2 1/2 months ago which removed approximately 4 x 3.5 cm of tissue and went in part
down to the bone. Ever since the obturator was removed 2 weeks later, life has returned to normal, well, a new kind of normal... The wound has healed completely, and with the exception of a somewhat dry mouth and lack of taste in that area I have experienced no side effects.

When I was first diagnosed, and all the way through treatment I coped very well, focussing on educating myself, and on what needed be done to kick this this thing in the butt. Everyone was very
impressed; I even kept my sense of humor. However, I was not prepared for the emotional aftermath when everything was over and reality set in. While life went back to normal for everyone else, I realized that I needed to talk to other cancer survivors, joined a general support group and then found this wonderful web site. Why didn't I come across it earlier?

I am tremendously grateful to my dentist who literally saved my life as well as the outstanding medical care I received!
What infuriates me though is the fact that the majority of dentist do not perform routine oral cancer exams although they only take a few minutes. Naturally, I asked around, and was shocked to find only 1(!) friend whose dentist does it.


Brian,
I completely agree with you that oral cancer neither gets the life-saving attention, nor the research it should. I only hope, that with the help of this community that will change. After all, screening is not only simple, fast, non-intrusive and inexpensive, it can save lives.

I come to this site to learn about the many aspects of oral cancer, scientifically proven treatment, new and ongoing research