Back in Jan. of this year, my half sister who lives some distance away phoned me to inform me that she was having throat surgery to remove some polyp's. She was very scared at that time as you can imagine. However she didn't change her lifestyle...went right back to smoking and drinking and she STILL indulges. Luckily for her the biopsy proved it was benign. Since this happened to her, it gave me greater concern about my own self and I started doing self exams. Very next month I found a lump or a swollen gland(I thought). I had my biopsy in March, two months after hers and that's when I was diagnosed. I credit my sister to saving my life and having this thing caught at stage 1. However I am very concerned about her. Could her polyp's be a prelude to something else, is she more at risk now than someone who never had polyp's? I'm concerned about her smoking/drinking combo too. I also had those bad habits but quit pronto after reality hit me in the face. We don't know much about family history, we were raised separatly and neither of us with the biological mother. The mother never confirmed who the fathers were and she is deceased now. Is there any info you can give me about her polyp's and habits? Is there any likelihood that she could end up in the same boat as me so to speak?

While there is no indication in anything I can find that the polyps are a "prelude" to oral cancer, (she didn't specify where in the throat the polyps were?), all the literature seems to point to the fact that they are caused by the same irritants that can lead to oral cancer. These irritants include tobacco and alcohol use. I think you have good reason to be concerned that your sister still smokes and drinks despite her surgery. But in all honesty, it seems that you are more concerned than your sister is!!!
Though you might encourage her to change her habits to ease your own mind, only she can stop her smoking and alcohol intake.
I am glad you found your cancer early! Hang in there, and keep us posted!

Live Well,
Andrea

Thank you Andrea for your info. I had no idea what caused a polyp. My sister had them removed from her vocal cords. Her voice had been going up and down for some time and she was having difficulty swallowing. After they were removed, she's fine. Yes, you are right, I am more concerned than she is. We were never particularly close since we were raised apart. We did stay in touch with one another, however we haven't talked for months now. I don't think that she can handle ME now. She avoids me and continues to stick her head in the sand. I know a few others that avoid me now too, don't they get it...cancer is not contagious!

Barbara,

That is guilt that has your sister sticking her head in the sand and avoiding you. My brother did the same thing when I had my surgery, and he's still smoking. Now that I am "ok" he doesn't avoid me, but he NEVER smokes in front of me. In fact no one does, because they know I will give them crap for taking a chance like that.

Lisa

hi barbara ,thank god you found it early stay off the cigs etc. you will be o.k.remain positive hugs and prayers ...maz