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SCC on face

Kaz24
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So now having had a cancerous lump removed, and told they got it all- How can you be sure? I guess I am oaranoid as I have lost my Mother who adopted me to bowel cancer (also told they got it all with no follow up treatment) and three years ago lost my Mother n Law rapidly to bowel and liver cancer within 5 months of diagnosis. I stupidly started smking a year and a half ago having given up for 18 years and I am worried if I am increasing the risk of return or spreading?

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    Hello Kaz24; welcome to the forum,  Dearie me, you are getting yourself in a tizz about things.   Now I am just an ordinary human being - no medical training -  we who post here are not medics but people who have had a brush with cancer - so I can only write what I think.    Yes, do stop smoking ias that is a knowncancer risk.  It ain't easy especially when you are stressed so talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you cannot go cold turkey.    I don't know how long ago your mother died (sorry also about that too - she must have loved you a lot) but things have moved forward a lot and while it can not be guaranteed that a cancer will not return or a secondary cancer appear - I think they are as sure as one can be that they have removed everything that can be seen.  Sadly nothing can be guaranteed but do not waste your life by worrying about it.  Several people here take the line that when they have beaten their bout with cancer they hope for the best but prepare for the worst.  They make their wills, leave memory books for their younger family members then get on with enjoying their lives.  If  b----y cancer takes over your life and way of thinking then it was won its battle with you so don't let it.    Of course they were terrified when first diagnosed but once given good news of remission they decided to take charge of things.  Cheers.  Annie

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    Hi Kaz24,

    I'm presuming that it was a Squamous Cell Carcinoma that was removed from your face recently? If so, and the surgeon said they had got it all, you can rest assured that you will be absolutely fine & that it won't spread. SCC very rarely spreads and smoking won't cause it to return, although it's good to give up smoking so you don't expose yourself to other cancers. Most SCCs are caused bu sun exposure so you need to follow a good suncare regime from now on - use Factor 30 or above (with a 4 or 5 star rating), a wide brimmed hat & sunglasses & you shouldn't have any future problem. 

    As Annieliz says, you have had a brush with cancer & you got it treated quickly so you have been luckier than sadly your family members were. Enjoy life to the full now & try not to focus on the past. Good luck,

    Angie (melanoma patient)

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