Hi there... Just to clarify - I agree alcohol isn't, and wasn't a factor in my cancer or many others here.I know this in my case for certain because I don't drink AT ALL - i've have only had maybe three drinks in my entire life, I don't smoke - never have and don't do drugs. I'm also a vegan/ vegetarian - (I occasionally have an egg or cheese) that said - I wasn't trying to say that I believed drinking caused your or anyone elses oral cancer - though in the past heavy smokers and drinkers - were primarily the demographic for this cancer - what I should have explained is this... Lung cancer is caused by chronic irritation of the delicate lung tissue - over an extended period of time - exposure to chemicals and toxins in the tobacco, (or certain chemicals through work) causes cell change and damage, and cancer evolves. This is a fact. This also has ties to oral cancer because it is the same response to these same thngs that has in the past (as I said earlier) been the basis for this cancer.

Now I do think that long term chronic irritation to my tongue did cause a similar reaction (scc) I ran this by a few drs, and looked it up. Some believe long term (chronic) irritation can cause cancer, some don't. Frankly, they don't know. But since I don't have any other precursors for cancer - and I knowing how this lesion on my tongue progressed, it's a very plausible theory.- and supported by the fact that other cancers develop the same way - So now factor in, radiation to your oral mucosa, and all those sharp teeth, the chemicals you ingest normally, and then add alcohol? It's just another irritant to an already sensitive area. Moderation in anything is important of course, and a drink now and then may not do much but for me it's not worth it. I guess if I do end up facing a recurrence I want to be able to say - I have done what I can to try and prevent it rather than sit there wondering - should I have ?

As for the odds, I did some research and scared the crap out of myself when all this started.

What I got was this... Stage 1-2 - after 5 yrs with treatment 75-95 % survival rate - stage 3-4 after 5yrs, 35-65 %.

There were several studies I read. And those are ballpark figures, and you have to take into consideration the demographics involved since generally it's a melting pot. And what I mean by this it - since non HPV oral cancer - is generally considered an "old mans" cancer (heavy smokers heavy drinkers - often over the age of 60) you have to consider that there are likely other factors to consider that would impact on this number - overall health of the patient (preexisting conditions - liver disease, heart disease, arterial disease (all likely in older people particularly those that drink, and smoke) age and lifestyle all play a factor. As does the actual cancer itself - differentiation and tumor location, diet and outlook - and the care being received. (good dr, good hospital etc)

So the numbers are a crap shoot as the outcome is individual - based on your body, your habits, your age, the cancer and many other things... So bottom line as someone else here said, your chances are either 100% or 0% - (I think that as charm's quote so thanks - ) We've had stage I members, who are no longer with us, and stage IV who are NED.

So ideally - ask questions - do research - do what you can to shift your odds towards the 100% side, and that is where all this comes full circle and back to my original response to your question - why not give yourself the best chance? If there's even a possibility that drinking figures into a recurrence - or makes you a little more vulnerable... Then why take the chance?

Just food for thought people...

Have a great day.. Hugs!