Good for you - thrilled you are seeing a dentist tomorrow. Make sure you tell them you want - and use these words- an Oral Cancer Screening. If they are not able to provide that - you need a new dentist. You also could ask for a referral to an oral surgeon who could do a test/biopsy of the area you mentioned.

This is a disease that is curable if caught early enough. Congrats on quitting smoking - that is the single biggest thing you could EVER do to improve your health. And yes, this is coming from an ex-smoker. Do whatever you need to to be smoke free.

There is an online stop smoking group called Quitnet.com which I relied on heaving - them and the patch. Just don't smoke - N.O.P.E. - Not One Puff Ever!!!

Keep us posted after you have been to the dentist.

Donna