i noticed a small lump on my right cheekjust about 2 days back.it is hard and moves easily.I am a smoker(10 cigarrettes a day for 6 years).I am concerned and am going to visit my doctor.But I was wondering if anyone has an idea what this could be.A doctor friend of mine said it was in the area of the parotid gland.It is now 1.5 cms and perfectly round.I have no pain and no ulcers or that knd of stuff.I have recently lost about 10 pounds.....all this has freaked me up into thinking this is cancer.please help...I could use some answers

Hi Prasad

Don't think cancer first! It could be a lymph node or a fibroma; no way of telling. You have done the right thing - getting it investigated.
use this as a wake-up call to improve your health by quitting smoking. Let us know how you get on.

Best wishes
Vinod

hi guys,
I have had my lump checked out.It turned out to be a fibroma which the doc says may turn malignant andwants to remove it to avoid any risks.
Now the problem is that my insurance has denied coverage saying that it is an pre-existing condition(doesn't matter if I found out just now).So if anyone can tell me how to get operated it would be helpfull.Do you know of any organisations that would help me with the surgery or direct me to a place where they can give me some kind of a credit which i can payback at a later date.(I have good credit history).Please help...I am at a loss as to what to do.It is scary that I may get cancer and even more scarier that i may not be able to get treated.
Please help

Hi Prasad

That's great news. Please contact the Oral Cancer Foundation for advice on the kind of assistance you are seeking. We don't have that problem in the UK.

Best wishes
Vinod