 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | Cathy and Carol,
Thanks for your positive comments. I am amazed at how many of my patients "pack" tobacco. I guess, they think that it's somehow not as bad as inhaling smoke. This mind set unfortunately continues to exist.
One of the first oral cancers picked up in my office has to be over 25 years ago and it was from smokeless tobacco. Unlike other areas of the mouth where cancer can develop, these areas are very visible. The tissue changes are usually very large areas that are corrugated looking.
I guess all I can do is to keep on looking and preaching about somkeless tobacco.
Jerry
Jerry
Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.
"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"
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