Hi Tabitha,

My stepfather just finished treatment a year ago for throat cancer. It was very advanced when they found it, but he is in remission right now. He had 7 weeks of radiation. He still smokes heavily and is a binge drinker, although he hadn't had a drink in 15 years until my mother died of lung cancer this past January. He was and still is an alcoholic and I definitely think this has added to his being likely to get this disease. With the heavy smoking its a deadly combination.
Take care and best wishes to you and family.
Mich4