Hi everyone,

I am a 23-year-old female and I am very concerned about my dad. It was only a few days ago that he lived a healthy life: non-smoker, walked about 6 miles per day, no major health issues. Less than a week ago, my dad had a soar throat (possibly an oncoming cold, we thought), but when he looked into his mouth the next day, he saw a very large mass near his tonsillar region. He went to see the ENT, who said this mass is most likely cancer.

My dad went for a CT scan yesterday and had a biopsy today. The CT scan confirmed that the cancer is formed on the tongue base and on one lymph node in the neck. Not sure if it has traveled anyplace else yet. Most likely stage 3 or 4 oropharyngeal cancer.

This is very scary for me because I am an only child with no other family that lives anywhere close. I am young and this came on very suddenly, and I am looking for support and I will try my best to give support as well.

Thank you.