Hi, my name is Amy, 59 yrs old and a 40 year smoker who recently has quit 6 months ago. For the last 20 years or so I've had a white ridge-like ulcer or lesion on the inside gum area of my mouth. My dentist wants to do a biopsy. I can't decide if I should have the biopsy or not because I've had this thing in my mouth for so long. If it was cancer wouldnt I have known by now?

Hi Amy Louise

Congrats and continued good luck on not smoking.

I would take your dentist's advice and have the biopsy. It could be nothing, but knowing is better than not knowing.

I really hope this turns out well for you.

Julia

Hello Amy Louise ,welcome to the forum .I do agree with Julia .Your dentist is being professional and doing his job .Although this will probably be absolutely nothing to worry about a little voice in your head will annoy you with maybe or what if so you will not be free from worry.

You will feel better and relieved to do as your dentist advises .I think a lot of people would benefit if all dentists were as cautious and careful as yours .

Im sure all will be well ,let us know what you decide .

Bell

Hi Amy Louise,

Welcome to the forum.

For peace of mind, I agree with the others that you should have the biopsy done. You may consider getting a second opinion first though. That might help with making your decision.

Best of luck to you and let us know how things turn out, Cricket

Hi Amy, To be honest get it biopsied.
Most people die or suffer very badlly mostly the latter because they are NOT diagnosed early.


If thats not a reason I do not know what is.
Let us know how you get on probally nothing to worry about.

cheers


Paul

Hi Amy
get it biopsied - you know it makes sense or you wouldn't be on this site! Peace of mind is worth a lot and if it is nothing you can stop worrying - if it is they can sort it out beofre its too late or before it gets nasty and you need a more invasive treatment.

All the best

Tony

Hi everyone! Thank you all SO much for responding to my question. I'm not surprised by the answers. But I've been reading all the stories on this site and treatment sounds so painful. Right now I have no pain, after 20 yrs of this on my gum...no pain or change in it. I think I'm one of those people who doesn't want to know. Then I'd have to DO something & I couldnt bear the pain of treatment. It all sounds so horrible and painful. I think I should leave well enough alone.

Hi Amy Louise,
May I plead with you not to leave well alone.Get a biopsy.If this thing is there for so long it's probably o/k but you never know--it may be turning pre-cancerous so to catch it now it could prevent a lot of pain down the road.
Please don't take that chance.

Fond Regards,
Caliban

Hi Amy Louise

I've got to side with Caliban on this one.

This is not something to ignore. Just because you don't have pain now, there's no guarantee that it's going to stay that way. Get the biopsy out of the way, find out it's not cancer--have a party and get on with your life. Get the biopsy, find out it is cancer--get it treated ASAP (the sooner it's caught the easier it is to treat) have a life to get on with. Don't get the biopsy done, worry, wonder if every little pain in your mouth is cancer.

The decision is yours, but if you do go, please take someone with you.

Julia

Thanks for the supportive words. I thought I had made my decision not to have the biopsy. Now I'm not so sure. I feel like such a wimp, but I'm afraid to know. Thank you for your time. This is kind of driving me nuts