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I just gave up cigar smoking because out of no where I started worrying about oral cancer and throat cancer. I am 29 almost 30 years old and have smoked cigars for about three years. Before that I didn't smoke at all. The good thing is I didn't smoke a whole lot. During the summer months I would smoke one sometimes two cigars a week and the rest of the year I would smoke maybe 1-3 a month. Sometimes I would go a month without smoking at all. I intend on visiting a dentist soon since I haven't in about 5 years, but is oral cancer something a guy my age who smoked so little worry about?
Optional Information: Person's Gender: Male Person's Age: 29
Hi there zwsqquwc,
You have some legitimate concerns. Let me see if I can help you.
Oral cancer is definitely no joking manner and smoking can contribute to oral cancer developing. It is highly unlikely that you will develop oral cancer based off of the limited amount of smoking you are reporting. However, this is not to say that you may not develop it.
Oral cancer is a tricky thing and can develop out of nowhere without any predisposing factors. I would highly recommend scheduling a dental exam visit with your local dentist and request an oral cancer screening to ensure there are no suspect areas in your mouth.
Some dentist offer oral cancer screenings known as Visilite. Which is a vinegar solution that you swish around for a minute and then the dentist uses a special lighting instrument to illuminate any abnormal tissue cells which could be a prerequisite to oral cancer.
Unless you have a spot in your mouth that is white or reddish and is hurting I would not be too worried about getting oral cancer due to the fact that you used to smoke cigars. However, like I stated before, oral cancer can develop without any predisposing risk factors (chewing tobacco/smoking). Therefore, it is highly recommended that everyone receive a yearly oral cancer screening with a head and neck exam too. This will help ensure that any type of abnormalities are caught early and are treatable.
Thank you very much for your advice. I started freaking out because I noticed a couple small red dots on the inside of my cheek but I think it may be because I have a habit of biting the inside of my cheek.
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Should I be worried about the small red dots? I do habitually chew the inside of my mouth and I suspect the red dots are because of that.
Cheek biting usually causes the tissue to turn white, not red, but then again nothing is ever textbook in its appearance. It is in your best interest to visit your local dentist and have he/she take a look at it and be able to confidently tell you what the red dots are from. Without being able to perform a thorough exam and able to take a look at the dots myself it is impossible for me to give you a 100% diagnosis/confirmation that it is not oral cancer, though highly unlikely that it actually is.
Awesome. You have for sure put my mind at rest. I will schedule a dentist appointment ASAP. You have been awesome. Thanks for your help. Positive feedback coming!
A thorough oral cancer screen from your doctor should include he/she palpating your lymph nodes starting underneath your chin and following them all the way down the side of your neck to your collar bones. Followed by examining all the oral mucosa (tissue) with their instruments and eyes.
Great to hear and glad to help. Please let me know what your dentist tells you is going on. I always enjoy following up with people I talk with on here.
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Experience: Dental expert with emphasis on prosthodontics, restorative, and general dentistry