Hello.

I'm a 24 year old male former smoker from the U.S. I had smoked since I was 17, off and on. I would say I averaged 6-10 cigarettes a day.

I have been researching mouth/tongue cancer and it lead me to this site.

Recently I had a small white bump come up on my tongue while I was still smoking, some weeks ago. I thought nothing of it, believing it wasn't much other than a flared up taste bud.

Well, days became weeks and the thing never went away. The white bump got bigger and I could literally pick at it until the white part came off on my fingers. Sure enough, it would just grow back the next day. That is when I decided to quit smoking. The power of fear is a pretty powerful one.

So its been weeks since I quit smoking and the bump has went away instead for a smaller looking barely raised section on my tongue that is back to the flesh tone matching my tongue. It is pretty normal in everything except it hurts a little bit when I rake my teeth over it.

Also, I don't know if it is stress or I'm making it up because I'm paranoid but I'm having a dull ache in my throat that hasn't went away for a couple of days. The throat ache has just started for the first time just recently. There are no lumps that I can tell.

Along with that same thought I examined the visible area all that I could of my throat and base of the the tongue and couldn't find anything out of the ordinary I thought. I don't know what the base of the tongue is supposed to look like or if it is supposed to have a texture to it but there are a few raised spots I can see on the base of my tongue. Again I don't know if this is normal, they aren't raised a whole lot.

I'm going to see my doctor tomorrow to have myself looked at. I know that nobody on here know who I am and have never met me but please just remember me for the next bit of time until I get answers.

I've found I can't sleep, can't eat, can't go on with a normal life thinking I might have cancer. Never has life been so illuminated for me to realize what I might miss should I die. I'm honestly scared to death.

I really appreciate all of those that contribute to this site. I have read a few things and found them to be really inspirational. I just hope I can come back here and share hope that not everything alarming turns out to be cancer.

Thanks again.

Dear JD,
Why do you want to get tensed up about something that has not happened?. Why do want to feel negative and believe the worst?. Live life and do what you want - let the doctors decide what wrong or right and only start worrying after that day in case the news is not too good.If the news is good just carry on with your life as happy as life is not meant to be worried about but to live and live it well.
Take care and all the best
Ananth

Hi there
Welcome to the site. The chances of you having cancer are tiny, certainly not enough to get over stressed about. Your doctor won't be able to tell you much, go see your dentist as well. They may well refer you to some kind of specialist but that's only to be safe. The more you try to self-diagnose via the internet the more freaked out you'll get. I reckon everyone on this forum has done that at some stage! Keep positive and I'm sure you'll be back posting some good news very soon.
Take care and Seasons Greetings.
James.

Paranoia is normal around here at times - every lump, bump and red spot anywhere near my mouth has been examined and re-examined several times since my mum was diagnosed with tongue cancer earlier this year.

You have done everything you can by chosing to see a doctor - try and rest there - difficult I know. Keep pushing until you feel satisfied with the answers you get.