#4835 01-16-2005 12:47 PM | Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 3 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 3 | Ive been dipping snuff on and off for about 4 years. I'll quit for a while but always seem to start back up. I was wondering if anyone knew how long it takes for you to develop oral cancer from it. I know everyone is different but isnt there some kind of average time lenght that it takes? I dont have any symptoms right now but for some reason I have been worried about it alot lately. Also will doing things such as rinsing your mouth out well and using some sort of mouthwash such as Listerine help fight against oral cancer?
Thanks | | |
#4836 01-16-2005 04:23 PM | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 482 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 482 | jareds, welcome to the site. There really isn't an "average" amount of time to develop oral cancer from snuff or smoking. I smoked for 35+ years and got it, while others on this site haven't ever used tobacco products and gotten it. You could get it never, or tomorrow, or yesterday, who knows. I can tell you, though, that tobacco use increases the odds that you will get it, and trust me, you don't want to get it. The cure is not pleasant. So why not discontinue use now? Check out some of the pictures on this site of cancer patients and maybe they'll motivate you to stop. Hope so.
Regards, Kirk Georgia
Stage IV, T1N2aM0, right tonsil primary, Tonsilectomy 11/03, 35 rad/3cisplatin chemo, right neck dissection 1/04 - 5/04.
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#4837 01-16-2005 06:45 PM | Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 94 Senior Member (75+ posts) | | Senior Member (75+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 94 | Jared,
Of course you want to start up again, my friend... nicotine is ADDICTIVE. I smoked for about 5 years. When I realized I was addicted, I quit. That was 1979.
Oral cancer is nasty. It cost me half of my jaw, so I can only chew on the left side of my mouth. But that's OK, because the radiation treatments caused my throat to shrink to the point where I can't swallow much at a time, so I don't need to take any big bites.
Steak is out of the question. So is good Mexican food, because the radiation treatments made it so I can't stand chiles. But, hey... that's just me.
I won't tell you to quit dipping snuff. I don't have any right. But I will quietly hope you choose to quit before you have to join this board for real. It's up to you, my friened.
Life is all about choices. Good luck with yours.
Ken
SCCA T2N1M0 diagnosed 11/02, radical neck dissection, 7 weeks radiation, 6 surgeries to deal with osteonecrosis, 10 weeks hyperbaric oxygen. "Live strong. Laugh often."
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#4838 01-17-2005 08:17 AM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 | Jared,
From the sounds of your post, you are quite fretful about dipping snuff. It is good that you worry about it because of the increased risks associated with that lifestyle choice. Listen to your mind or heart. Be thankful that something, some force is allowing you to question what it is doing to you. Act accordingly.
Ed
SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
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#4839 01-17-2005 08:20 AM | Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 3 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 3 | Thanks for the kind words Kirk, Ken and Ed. I will take your advice and attempt to quit for good tomorrow. Ive been down this road before though, wish me luck. Thanks again. | | |
#4840 01-17-2005 10:10 AM | Joined: May 2003 Posts: 928 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: May 2003 Posts: 928 | Jareds
I will send positive vibes and sincere wishes that you beat this addiction before it does you irreparable damage.
You know what to do......Good Luck!
Marica
Caregiver to husband Pete, Dx 4/03 SCC Base of Tongue Stage IV. Chemo /Rad no surgery. Treatment finished 8/03. Doing great!
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#4841 01-17-2005 11:44 AM | Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 156 Gold Member (100+ posts) | | Gold Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 156 | iam sure if we had known years ago what we know now we would never have smoked i stopped 1 year now but the damage was done . it is not easy giving up ,the thougt of smoking now disgusts me , i am just getting over the cravings thank god .good luck jarred
regards maz | | |
#4842 01-17-2005 12:23 PM | Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 94 Senior Member (75+ posts) | | Senior Member (75+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 94 | Jared,
As a wise man... er, a short, pointy-eared, alien Muppet, once said, "Do or do not. There is no try." You can do anything you choose to do. The strength comes from the decision. I know it's true, because I quit cold turkey.
Ken
SCCA T2N1M0 diagnosed 11/02, radical neck dissection, 7 weeks radiation, 6 surgeries to deal with osteonecrosis, 10 weeks hyperbaric oxygen. "Live strong. Laugh often."
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#4843 01-17-2005 12:41 PM | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,163 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,163 | Hello Jared,
It is a known fact that smoking, dipping and drinking alot of beer are high risk habits that increase your chances of one day getting oral cancer. Believe all the posting's above. You don't want any part of this unforgiving diaease!!! It has to be YOUR decision only. You can control what happens. I hope you can kick your addiction and live a long and healthy life.
This is one club you don't want to join.
Best Wishes, Danny Boy
Daniel Bogan DX 7/16/03 Right tonsil,SCC T4NOMO. right side neck disection, IMRT Radiation x 33.
Recurrance in June 05 in right tonsil area. Now receiving palliative chemo (Erbitux) starting 3/9/06
Our good friend and loved member of the forum has passed away RIP Dannyboy 7-16-2006
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#4844 01-17-2005 01:58 PM | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 235 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 235 | Jared,
You've gotten some life great advice from those that responded to you, so I won't elaborate on the ugliness of oral cancer or dipping. Regarding your other question, one doctor did tell me that mouth washes that contain alcohol may also be a potential cause of oral cancer. Heck, I even saw something in the news that sugested that using too much peroxide (tooth whitening products) could be suspect as well.
Take care of yourself.
D
Mom's caregvr. DDS failed to dx 01/03. Dx Stg IV SCC 05/03. Induct. chemo, IMRT, 5FU, H, Iressa, Neck disect, radiation. Dad's caregvr. Dx 01/04 Ext. Stg SCLC. Mets to liver/bone 08/04. Died 11/12/04. Mom tongue CA dx 06/13, hemiglossectomy (80% removed) 08/13. Clean margins and nodes, but PNI. 6/15/15: Tongue CA at base of remnant tongue. Declined further tx; hospice.
Died 10/13/15. What a long and difficult journey.
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