Linda,
Believe me when I say that no one, not a smoker nor a nonsmoker, deserves this cancer. It is a myth that only smokers develop oral cancer, and, IMHO, I feel it's coming to light that the number of smokers with this cancer are fewer then expected. There is lots coming out concerning the HPV virus being the cause. So, lose the thoughts about deserving a cancer, no one does but many of us get it.
Sounds like what your doc is saying is that you have abnormal cells that need to be watched. Have it looked at and monitored and let us know what the oral surgeon says.

SCC Left Mandible. Jaw replaced with bone from leg. Neck disection, 37 radiation treatments. Recurrence 8-28-07, stage 2, tongue. One third of tongue removed 10-4-07. 5-23-08 chemo started for tumor behind swallowing passage, Our good friend and much loved OCF member Minnie has been lost to the disease (RIP 10-29-08). We will all miss her greatly.