There was an article that I read not too long ago about how underfunded research into lung cancer is and how many patients are ashamed to admit they have it, or feel that they're to blame for it - or something to that effect. (I should try to Google it!) But I think Markus has it right. Its a subtle way that people have to reassure themselves that it won't happen to them.

Mind you, I've never smoked in my life, other than a few when I was 10 or 12 cuz it was cool and when I tell people that they do squirm a little bit.

Stage IV SCC lt lateral tongue, surgery 5/19/08 (partial gloss/upper neck dissection left side/radial free flap reconstruction) IMRT w/weekly Cisplatin & Erbitux 6/30/08, PEG 1 6/12/08 - out 7/14 (in abdominal wall, not stomach), PEG 2 7/23/08 - out 11/20/08, Tx done 8/18/08
Second SCC tumor, Stage 1, rt mobile tongue, removed 10/18/2016, right neck dissection 12/9/2016
Third SCC tumor, diagnosed, 4/19/2108, rt submandibular mass, HPV-, IMRT w/ weekly Cisplatin, 5/9 - 6/25/2018, PEG 3 5/31/2018