Kris,

Like Christine has said, stop Googling symptoms and freaking out, believe it or not stress and anxiety lowers your immune system due to hormone response. The white patch on the side of your cheek is called dysplasia and it's very common and can be caused by a number of things, even prescription medications called a lichenoid reaction, or lichen planus caused by an allergic reaction to amalgams fillings.

The point is that you have an area in your mouth that is concerning you, if it doesn't resolve itself within 2 weeks get to an Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) Dr and have him biopsy the area to send to pathology. We have a saying on these boards that we live by, mostly to keep from freaking out, that "It's NOT cancer until a biopsy says so".

Now if you would like an education on dysplasia, causes, statistics, cancer rates etc I recommend reading some of Dr. Edmond Truelove's research (Head of Oral Medicine at the University of Washington). I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Truelove, and one of his researchers, at one of his recent lectures in Seattle and really enjoyed the education, although I think it maybe a little dry for you depending on your interests.

Anyway, get it checked out, don't freak out, the odds are in your favor

I just sounded like the Hunger Games just then...

Eric