So for few months I've been suffering from major health anxiety. First it was a heart attack, then it was ovarian cancer, then it was ALS, now it's oral cancer. This one I just can't seem to kick. A month ago around Christmas I noticed a small, smooth, painless lump on the inside of my mouth on my cheek. I know I shouldn't of, but I googled it and most of the results say that a lot of mouth growths are benign, but I couldn't shake the thought of cancer.

I've seen my doctor and she looked at it and said it's absolutely 100% not cancer and that it could've been a swollen salivary gland I bit into and then it swelled up and became noticable. I just don't know if I believe her because I feel like it would've gone away by now...

Here's some more info about it; It's not ulcerated and it doesn't bleed easily. I've accidentally bit into it and it doesn't bleed. It also swells up when it's messed with and turns red and more firm I guess. When it's left alone it's smaller and blends in more with the inside of my cheek.

I'm just not ready to go through this kind of thing I'm only 17 years old and I've never smoked or drank. I know oral cancer can affect anyone, and I asked my mom to schedule an appointment with the dentist for me ASAP.

Nikki, welcome to OCF. Please take a deep breath and slow down. Right at this moment you have NOT been diagnosed with oral cancer (OC). Do yourself a favor and take this step by step so you dont get too far ahead of yourself. Worrying will only make you feel worse and can create all kinds of other issues. Also, Dr Google should be avoided as it will bring up all kinds of sites that arent relevant to your situation.

I would suggest skipping the dentist and going to an ENT (eat nose and throat specialist) who treats oral cancer patients. You do not want an ENT who mainly puts tubes in kids ears. Your lump could be all kinds of things besides cancer. A doctor can have a pretty good idea of what something is but only a biopsy will tell for certain what the lump is. Any lump, bump, sore inside your mouth that does not go away on its own within 2-3 weeks needs to be checked by a professional. By professional I mean an ENT who treats oral cancer patients, not a family doctor or dentist. Most dentists and family doctors are not familiar with oral cancer tumors enough to identify what isnt normal inside your mouth. Dentists look at teeth and ignore everything else and family doctors are more for normal everyday illnesses like colds, flu, high blood pressure etc. They dont usually see many patients who have had OC.

Hopefully what you have is nothing serious and is easily fixed. Best wishes!!!