Hello, my name is karena, and I have been reading your entries on and off for a while. I have had a lump in my mouth for some time now, but not sure what it is. Of course I have googled oral cancer, and viewed photos of every strange thing that could go wrong in a person's mouth, but am still not sure what I have going on! My grandmother had mouth cancer about 20 years ago, and the results were less than stellar, she didn't smoke, and still got the dreaded illness. How did you muster the strength to have a doctor look at you? I am a big chicken. I don't want to have a deformed face! UGH!

Hi Karena.

The chances are that your Grandmother's cancer will probably not have anything to do with your lump. A trip to the doctor will either put your mind at ease or (heaven forbid) get something done about it at an early stage.

I'm sure you've either read or heard that with any complaint that you have, the sooner that the problem has been defined the quicker it can be treated. So maybe the last thing you should do for 2006 is pay your GP a visit - then you'll hopefully be able to start 2007 free of worries.

The ball is now in your court!

good luck - Pete

hi karena
i know exactly how you feel......i havnt been diagnosed yet and felt like a charlatan......but there are some caring people here that will give you plenty of support..... i hope everything turns out ok for you and its nothing to worry about..... take care and let us know how you are

jeff