Sorry if I'm wasting people's time, this is a lot like what Smithy wrote a couple of weeks ago but I'd really appreciate it if somebody could give this a quick reply. A couple of months ago I noticed a little (maybe 1-2mm) lump on the inside of my top lip. I kind of thought I'd bitten my lip, but the lump has stayed there. You can't see it from the outside, & in fact if I pull my lip up in front of the mirror then you still can't see it, i.e. it's the same colour as everything else and it's not big enough to stand out. In fact I have to look for it to notice it with my tongue. It's hard. Maybe it's always been there, couldn't swear it hasn't, but I only noticed it as I say a couple of months ago. It doesn't hurt. It hasn't got bigger since I noticed it, if anything I'd say it had got smaller but I wouldn't absolutely swear to that.

Listen, half of me thinks someone's going to write back saying It's Definitely Cancer and the other half thinks someone's going to write back saying Stop Wasting Our Time You Stupid Hypochondriac. If it's relevant, I'm 26 and I don't drink alcohol but I do smoke (trying to give up). I'm just worrying about this, and then telling myself it's stupid to worry, and going round in circles.

Thanks in advance,

Ed.

Good Morning Ed,
I doubt whether anyone will try to offer a diagnosis on line but I am sure of one thing, no one is going to call you a stupid hypochondriac and accuse you of wasting our time.The two main reasons why people come on to this website are 1) to ask for help and 2) to offer help. If we thought it was a waste of time we wouldn't do it.The message is always the same, if you find something different inside your mouth ,throat or neck and it does not clear in three weeks seek professional advice.In your case you need to see a dentist so give him a ring on monday morning---monday not sometime next week!If more people reacted quickly to changes in the mouth the maxillofacial surgeons would be facing redundancy.The chances are ,Ed, that it is not cancer but you need to be sure so don't let it spoil your weekend old chap but ring the dentist on monday,if he says he can't see you in the next few days see your doctor who will know what to do.Don't wait to see what happens I did and I know to my cost that waiting is not a smart thing to do.Regarding the smoking you know what you should do, apart from anything else just think of the satisfaction in depriving Grabbing Gordon the Chiselling Chancellor of a little revenue.Keep us posted Ed,we will be keeping our fingers crossed for you.
Keep Smiling
John

Hi Ed, As John says no one is going to jump on you but follow his adfvice and get it checked out asap. Hope it turns out to be nothing
Maurice

ed listen to these guys, they know their stuff..john was and still is a great help to me and my family...john just that one email you wrote me clear so much of the smoke, thanks so much?

I just wanted to thank you all, and especially John, for your wise advice. I rang my dentist on Monday as you said, he saw me the very next day & it turns out it's scar tissue & nothing to worry about. But he didn't think it was silly that I'd been worried, he said it was right to have it checked out if you notice anything like that. Thanks again to those who took the time to reply to my message.

Very best wishes to everyone,

Ed.

PS. John, I'm seriously going to try & knock the smoking on the head now.

good afternoon Ed,
That's good news and I am delighted to hear it.The dentist didn't think you were being silly because you weren't, the silly ones are those who wait too long ----like me!You have just had one scare and you acted correctly by seeking advice and seeking it promptly.If you have a mouth problem in the future remember the advice of this old timer,any change in the mouth,throat or neck which does not clear up in three weeks requires PROMPT medical attention.Now the smoking job, it isn't easy Ed you need to want to give up and to be determined about it. Once you have decided that that was your last fag you have to make it just that, one more puff and you will end up smoking again.Do your best
I am really pleased for you Ed.
Keep Smiling
John