Some help. Im really freaked out!

[coreyshaw]

I am a 21 year old male. A while back I discovered my right tonsil was red and swollen. About a year ago I went into an Urgent Healthcare Facility and a Doctor noticed it and said it was probably because I was a smoker and the smoke was irritating it. Ive been a smoker for about 4 years. I was in the same Urgent Care Facility yesterday to get checked out for a cough and I inquired about my tonsil. The physician's assistant I saw said that she deals with a lot of smokers and there's nothing to say that the smoke is the cause for the inflammation, and I should get it checked out and make sure its not precancerous. That freaked me out right away. Like I said, its my right tonsil (left one looks fine), larger than the left, red, uvula is usually sticking to it, no pain or other symptoms. Im going to see a physician on Saturday but I need some reassurance sooner than that. Im really freaked out and think I have cancer now. Someone help me out!

[OttNL]

You could try cutting back on the smoking, or quitting altogether. Even if it is just an infection, the smoking is definitely going to irritate it further. This might sound weird, but Chai tea is very good for smokers, and non-smokers, because of the antioxidants. It has been used in Asia for years to deter cancerous cells from forming. It is definitely not a cure or vaccination, though. My roommate recently was told that he has precancerous lesions on his gums. I looked up a bunch of information on them, and, from what I have read, they show up as whitish areas. There are many different types of cancers, though. Not all will show up that way. The best advice/consolation I can give, because I am not a doctor-I am an undergraduate student, is to avoid anything that will irritate the area. If you do smoke, don't smoke a lot. If you decide to drink some Chai, make it with a splash of milk and some sugar. :) Good luck! I hope everything turns out well for you.

[crackerjack4u2]

Hello.  I know just the possibility has to be scary when talking about cancer.  I don't know  what is causing the swelling of the tonsil.  It is possible you have an infection on that side of your throat, problem with your sinus on the right side etc. and it can be treated with antibiotics and the inflammation will be gone. You said she mentioned possible PRECANCEROUS (pre means BEFORE cancer), so hopefully it isn't anything, but if the suspicious cells are there getting an early diagnosis, making life style changes (like stopping smoking), and early treatment, you should be good as new in no time.  I Hope This Helps, Good Luck and Keep Us Posted.