Annual Oral Cancer Screening Exams Are Important
When oral cancer is found early, treatment can be successful 82% of the time. Unfortunately, when compared to the survival rate of other cancers, the survival rate of oral cancer has not improved greatly over the last 30 years.
Early detection is key to survival; it is important to see your dentist regularly. An annual screening exam called VELscope Vx with Blue, used in conjunction with a routine head and neck examination performed by your dentist can help to find abnormalities that could lead to cancer. That's the kind of screening that could help save lives.
Are You at Risk of Oral Cancer?
Increased risk
- Patients age 40 and older (95% of all cases)
- 18-39 years of age combined with the following:
• Tobacco use
• Chronic alcohol consumption
• Oral HPV infection
Highest risk
- Patients age 65 and older with lifestyle risk factors
- Patients with a history of oral cancer
25% of oral cancers occur in people who don't smoke and have no other risk factors.
The VELscope Vx Exam
The painless oral cancer exam is performed by a dental professional in just a few minutes:
- First, we check for visible signs of any abnormalities.
- Next, the VELscope Vx detection light is used to illuminate the natural tissue fluorescence. Abnormal tissue typically appears as an irregular, dark area that stands out against the otherwise normal, green fluorescence pattern of surrounding healthy tissue.
For more information on Oral Cancer Screening please visit VELscope.