I must say I find it quite amazing to see oral hygiene listed as a reason for oral cancer, by a hospital yet to boot! I still wonder why Heather got tongue cancer and believe me, poor oral hygiene was not a factor any more than was tobacco or alcohol use. She took better care of her teeth than anyone else in our family and had only 2 small cavities. According to her ob-gyn, she did not have HPV either. Although, I don't think anyone ever thought to actually test the tumor tissue to be sure. Talk about drawing the short straw. I'd say she drew the shortest one possible.

Joanna,
It is refreshing to read that you actually accept the blame for your cancer. I think you are in the minority. But, if your smoking was truly minimal, you may be mistaken in accepting blame. If the typical case is a 60+ year old male who has smoked for 30 or more years, I really don't think you come close to fitting the profile. I don't think even the vats of wine make up for the lack of heavy smoking. Even my Dad, who died of oral cancer, didn't get it until he was in his 60's and he was a HEAVY (as in alcoholic) drinker and smoker. And, had he gone to the dr. when he first had a mouth sore, he very likely would have survived. Well, actually, he wouldn't have because he wouldn't have stopped smoking or drinking, but at least he would have probably won the first round or two. I think that is what makes me the maddest when I compare Heather's case to the typical case. Most smokers get the warning signs early enough that they can be diagnosed in time to be treated while the cancer is still at stage 1 or 2. Heather, and I would guess quite a few other non-smokers, don't have detectable symptoms until late in the game. It was less than 4 months from her first symptoms until her surgery and she was already at stage 4. God, Buddha, Muhammad or whoever is supposedly up there watching over us somehow missed the boat on her. She didn't have a snowball's chance in hell.

As far as it being a good bet you wouldn't be on this forum if not for your alcohol and tobacco use, I beg to differ. You may have drawn the short straw anyway. Many, many forum members were not tobacco or alcohol users, but here they are! Just my 2 cents!

Rainbows & hugs, wink
Rosie

Was primary caregiver to my daughter Heather who had stage IV base of tongue SCC w/ primary recurrence. Original diagnosis August 21st, 2002. Primary recurrence March 18th, 2003. Died October 6th, 2003.