I've been looking the last Census, particularly the statistics for oral cancers. There has been an alarming increase since 1995. For specifically tongue cancer, per 100,000 cases of cancer, the results have almost tripled in males and double in females. Why?

Smoking in the UK has plummeted, and chewing tobacco is rare over here. I've never seen anyone chew tobacco and I've never seen it on sale either. I think alcohol consumption has increased, especially in young people. Times are hard for our youngsters, these days, I feel.

it just breaks my heart that more people are having to go through all this. And yet it's STILL a 'Cinderella Cancer'.

Here is the link; as I say, it makes interesting reading. As an aside, I was training to be a nurse during the last Census, and I was employed as a Census Collector to get some extra cash smile It is one of the most fascinating jobs I've ever done smile

Tables 8 and 9 give the figures I'm on about....

Click once on the FIFTH link down on the left, then click on 'tables 8 and 9' in the text on the right.

http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/dcp171778_367563.pdf

Mar 99 white patch tongue
Dec 11 white patch changed shape. biopsy neg
Sep 13 white patch ulcerated. Biopsy
Nov 13 diag Tongue SCC T2N2BM0 poorly Differ.
Dec 13 Hemigloss. neck dissect.Trach.Caldwell Luc (suspect cysts inside face, neg), teeth out. forearm flap, abdo graft
Feb 14 PEG tube
Feb/Mar 14. 30 x radio 60gy Grade 3 Mucositis, burns, hair loss, very ill. Nerve damage ear neck shoulder
Jun 14 *now* PEG out. Have lost 98 lbs in 1 yr. Anorexia. Dysphagia, liquids only. Dysphasia. Fatigue.