Hi, I am a 36 year old womaa, who has been sufering from a minor ( I thought) irritation, but today have been diagnosed with a moderate squamous cell carcinaoma of the mouth. despite the doctor's hale and hearty words, I feel that it is my neck/throat and so I feel suitably terrified. Any help, advice, comments would be very welcome! thanks

Hi gms

It's perfectly natural to feel anxious with such a diagnosis laid before you and I'd be kidding you if I didn't admit to having felt the same way when I was diagnosed - over 1 year ago now. However once accepting the fact (there's not much else you can do) you have to get on with fixing the problem. Your Doctor is obviously your first main point of contact and will put you in contact with the specialised people that will hopefully solve this problem for you. I believe the success rate is extremely good if caught at the right time.

As far as it's possible, try to be positive in your outlook. Remember that the professionals are there to help you and will do their utmost to do exactly that.

For moral support, there are many dear people on this site who will be here for you should you need it - many are better putting support into words than myself and I'm sure their words of wisdom will follow soon.

Hang in there - Pete

Good Morning gms,
Phinsing is quite right in what he says,you would be unique if you were not worried.I was 67 when I was given a very similar diagnosis to yourself,now I am 70 and getting on with life. Things are a little different but it is surprising how quickly we get used to the differences.At 0203 this morning you became member No.1340 of the foundation, the other 1339 are here to help you. If you have questions go ahead and ask, Phinsing and I may not know the answers (we were just up a little earlier than the rest)but someone will.
Please keep us posted on your progress.
Keep Smiling
John

Hello gms

I don't know where you live but in the UK, you would have had a biopsy of the tongue, a CT or MRI scan to check for any spread to neck lymph nodes, and a meeting date with a multi-disciplinary team (of oncologists, surgeons and other support team members) arranged to discuss findings with a view to recommended best treatment. While difficult not to worry, take heart from the survivors here and their experiences (found on the MCF website).

We are always here if you have any questions or just wish to talk.

Best wishes
Vinod

Hi gms,

I was diagnosed just over a year ago, and to be honest I just couldn't wait to get out of the hospital so that I could cry without strangers looking at me. I was 45 when I was diagnosed, and all the professionals I have seen have said that I was really unlucky, as traditionally mouth and neck cancer is a disease seen in older men. Now that you have received your diagnosis your health service will be able to provide the best possible treatment, which though it will be tough will give a good chance of success. Don't frighten yourself too much by reading up on the internet, but there are some very good sites such as the cancer research information site. Don't pay any attention to their survival statistics though, as these seem to be very out of date, and are only in general terms anway. If your cancer has been caught early then you will have a very good survival rate ( I was given 85-95% possibility of a cure).
The next few months will not be easy, but everybody on this site has had a similar experience and will be able to offer advice, or just listen if yopu need it. Well done for finding this site so quickly after your diagnosis, I have only just found it, and I'm finding it extremely useful.