The publics view of this cancer as being a "smokers" cancer is part of the problem in making others aware that they need to have their oral exams or that they need to have lesions and sores in their mouths checked even if they do not smoke. For non-smokers to think it really matters how they feel about smokers is total arrogance and it attaches a horrible stigma to this devastating cancer. I have the same feelings about an oral cancer patient that didn't smoke as I do for one that smoked for 30 years. My mother was just at my home for a week, she still smokes. Am I supposed to be angry at her? Am I supposed to rail and ask why me and not her? How selfish is that. She's addicted, she has tried to quit with no success. It's her demon, not mine and I am not going to judge her for it as her smoking has nothing to do with me.
So, non-smokers, please know that your attitude is one of the biggest battles that oral cancer victims face..........the publics belief that "they caused their cancer so why feel bad for them". And the public doesn't stop to consider that maybe this patient didn't smoke.......so that negative attitude hurts even the non smoking OC patients. Now THAT is unfair, THAT is what we should be battling.......not sitting here judging others for an addiction.