Hi Cathy. I always wonder if people look at my signature and go arrrrgggghhhh. I think I'm one of a relatively small percentage who get new primaries after the first oral cancer.

Apparently there can be submicroscopic changes to the tissues in the mouth after the first cancer but 80% of people get away without a new primary. I'm one of the 20% who get a new cancer in their mouth.

People who have one episode and are okay for the rest of their lives might not stick around here so this site might be skewed towards people with recurrences or long-term after effects!

And, well, I've had two recurrences and four cancer diagnoses over all and I'm still going strong, albeit a bit battered and bruised. When I went back to work after my big tongue surgery I stopped accessing OCF, in fact I thought it would be healthier for me if I stopped focussing on cancer issues. Now I both need this site and really want to help others who might need some empathy!!!!

1996, ovarian cancer surgery + cisplatin and taxol.
September, 2007, SCC of left lateral tongue. Excision.
October, 2009 recurrence in scar tissue, T1NOMO. Free flap surgery from left wrist - neck dissection. 63 year old New Zealander. No chemo, no RT.
February, 2014. New primary in left buccal mucosa. Marginal mandibulectomy, neck dissection, right arm free forearm flap. T1N0M0 but third occurrence and some areas of concern: RT started 8 April and finished 19 May.