im sure u hear this all the time on hear but im really scared that i have cancer, im a 19 year old male, i used to smoke on and off since i was about 14, but stopped a few years ago, ive never been a heavy smoker or drinker, but recently ive had a pain in my left shoulderblade area wen i breathe in, this worsens with exercise, it feels like a pulled muscle but ive had it for a gd 4-5 months now and even recent ive had difficulties breathing, it feels like a throat infection and theres no real pain wen i touch my throat or swallow and im not chronically coughing or coughing up blood, its just my throat and chest feels tight and im just really scared the two problems could be cancer related, the throat thing started about 4 weeks ago and hasnt really got ne worse or ne better really, i saw a doctor who said it was just a throat infection and didnt know wot was causing the pain in my back, but upon listening to my breathing she said it sounded clear through a stethascope....i think thats good?, please help if you can im a natural worrier ne way and i wud appreciate ne replys, thanks.

It is highly unlikely you have anything like lung cancer or throat cancer at your age. I would recommend going to the doctor and getting a possible chest x-ray. The doctor is probably right in this case by suggesting a throat infection or something similar. Good luck.

She said it was "clear" because she heard no congestion in your lungs meaning it was not pneumonia or plurisy. If you are concerned see and ENT (Ear Nose and Throat) doctor. He can put your fears to rest. Any sore throat that lasts for more than 2 weeks should be checked by an ENT. Cancer can occur at any age even in babies so to be certain get a complete check so you can be certain of your diagnosis.

Bless you,
Barbara~ .

thank you both for ur help, my mind has been eased a little, as i said i am a natural worrier, ill give it another week, if theres no improvements ill go see my doctor, but as u said, cancer is highly unlikely in ppl my age, thanks again

daz

I wasn't suggesting it was impossible to have those cancers at 19 or to ignore your problem. It is just extremely unlikely. Different cancers have different age groups they are predisoposed to and other risk factors. But yes cancer does occur in young people. Lung and throat cancer are just not generally seen in teens. You should definately follow up on your problems if they persist.

yer i understand that, but does it sound like the symptoms of lung cancer or throat cancer, its not like im gasping breath, it just feels tight, like wen u have an infection, and im not coughing at all...i do cough up mucus now n then but it is blood free....wot do ya think?

Come to think of it, this only started after i had a 1 night drinkin binge...it seemed to start coming on after i threw up the following day, my mom seems to think that ive probly burnt the lining of my throat which has caused an infection, does this seem right, i mean its been like this for 4 weeks now...is it possible 2 have an infection for this long, and besides....surely id feel really bad if it was cancer....im not losing weight, im not coughing up blood, i have no real pain on swallowing n breathing deep, n it dosent feel sore wen u touch my throat, ne ideas?

daz

Sounds to me like your Mom is on to something. Are you aware that heavy use of alcohol does cause throat cancer? Maybe you should think about quitting before it happens. You are young yet. Why mess up your life?

i dnt normally drink heavily, it was just one stupid night wen my mate was around, yer i do drink, but at most i have 4-5 pints a week, that night was a one off, so u reckon my mom is right, cus as i said, althought im slightly worried, my symptoms seem to be nothin like those of cancer, n its not like my breathing is terrible, i mean i can still run around and play sports, even tho im not that fit lol, but still, ive found no lumps in my neck area, im not coughin up blood or ne thin else, and altho my voice is a bit hoarse i put that down to a cold im getting....cud this be my problem?

ok...found a small fatty feeling lump at the front of my adams apple 2day...breathing is a lil bit more difficult, but maybe thats anxeity....its not a very big lump, n it doesnt really hurt wen u touch it, unless u press really hard, im not sure wot it is, but it moves around wen u touch it, i have an appointment with my doc 2morra...please dnt let it be cancer, im only 19 :( im too young to die....ne ides wot it cud be wud be appreciated

daz