Hi everyone,

I'm 27 and have been a heavy smoker for 10+ years. Not just cigs, but weed too. I've led a very unhealthy lifestyle since my late teens, exercising very infrequently and eating unhealthily too. I'm also a person who enjoys a drink (my industry is advertising and so you can imagine, it sort of comes with the territory).

I have silent acid reflux which I have treatment for but which has caused a lump the left side of my throat above my Adam's Apple. My phlegm is always a brown/red colour which the doctor has said is to do with acid reflux, and this has now also become true of my snot when I blow my nose, although very infrequently. 

Essentially, I'm convinced I have throat cancer. I'm going to the doctor's in a couple of days to ask for advice etc, but i wanted to ask here if anyone had similar symptoms at all? 

I'm usually a very level-headed and rational bloke, but given my history and bad habits, it just seems like the perfect conditions for malignant cells to grow. 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. 

Yours, a terrified pessimist!