April is Oral Cancer Awareness month. We are offering free VELscope® oral cancer screenings to every patient that gets their teeth cleaned during April. Many patients refuse the additional VELscope® oral cancer screening provided by their hygienist. Most insurance companies do not provide coverage for it, and it costs around $50.
An Oral Cancer Screenin Can Save Your Life
Many head and neck cancers begin in the oral cavity, including your lips, tongue, gums, lining inside the cheeks and lips, and the bony top of the mouth. Cancer found in its early stages is the most treatable. Thus early diagnosis is essential.
Your annual check-up includes visually examining your head, neck, face, and mouth for any masses, lesions, swelling, or facial asymmetry. We look for red and white cancerous lesions on the mucous membrane in your mouth and any masses within the tissues. We examine your tongue for ulcers, swellings, or other abnormalities, in addition to examining the inside of the back of the throat with a laryngeal mirror.
The additional oral cancer screening offered is the VELscope® Vx Enhanced Oral Assessment System. It is a handheld scope that provides a more thorough tissue examination than a visual exam. It uses natural tissue fluorescence to illuminate dysplastic or keratinized tissue. In other words, it helps visually detect tissue abnormalities or tissue that has changed that may not be noticeable in a visual exam.
The best strategy in the fight against cancer is early detection. The VELscope® Vx is a widely used adjunctive device for the enhanced visualization of oral mucosal abnormalities, such as oral cancer or pre-malignant dysplasia. It makes abnormalities that might not be seen by the naked eye visible; thus, it is a helpful tool in early detection.
When we find tissue abnormalities, the patient is immediately referred to a specialist for evaluation. While $50 may seem like an unnecessary out-of-pocket expense for a VELscope® Vx oral cancer screening, how much is your peace of mind worth?
Lifestyle such as excessive tobacco and/or alcohol consumption, genetic factors, HPV (human papillomavirus), and prior head or neck malignancy can increase your likelihood of developing oral cancer. You may elect to have an annual VELscope® Vx oral cancer screening. Being proactive is essential to early detection and diagnosis.
Read additional information regarding VELscope® Vx Enhanced Oral Assessment System.