@jmg856, I can imagine that you're really upset and nervous given your parents' history with cancer. While this is upsetting, your dentist is right that you'll want to get these lesions investigated without delay. Dentists are often the first line of preventative medicine and can help detect issues BEFORE they become problematic and are treatable. I'm sure @loribmt can share more about the work dental hygenists and dentist do to catch things early.

Some benign lesions (non-cancer) can be virtually impossible to distinguish from cancerous lesions, biopsy is essential. Getting a biopsy does NOT mean you have cancer. This is taking care of your health. Please make an appointment.