If you think of all 34,000 oral cancers that will present themselves in 2009 (USA) the average (median) age will be in the center of a bell curve. With all sample groups there are leaders and trailers on the bell curve. Unfortunately some of us will be on the leading edge. I was 40 and considered young by all. In the grand scheme, the people here in the forum are probably not a good statistical sample. Computer access and willingness to surf the web for help is going to skew the numbers towards the younger half of the bell curve. People with more severe treatment effects or more dire prognosis will be more likely to seek help. For these reasons we need to be careful not to draw conclusions about the whole 34,000 based upon what is seen here. All of this said, it seems that there is a trend towards a younger average age.

Scared, you should continue to resolve this issue for yourself. Keep in mind that it would be very rare for this to be cancer. That doesn't mean I know it isn't cancer, it just means you should not "think" this into a freak-out. Because it is far more likely that this is some other common problem (like infection, etc) your Doc's will likely treat it that way. This is wise "normal" and prudent medicine. If everyone with a sore throat got a biopsy we would need way more pathologists.

I am not suggesting you become complacent either. Stay on this until it is resolved. A biopsy and CT scan would be a logical step for you if the gargle dosen't get you results. You shouldn't be afraid that ordering those tests is "proof" that you have cancer. They likely will confirm this is NOT cancer and that would be good news.

Be sure to ask lots of questions of your Doc's when you see them.