One American dies every hour from oral cancer. Because of this alarming statistic our office offers a simple test for the detection of cancerous or pre-cancerous tissue. ViziLite™ Plus is a disposable light helps identify abnormal oral tissue.
Who is at Increased risk for oral cancer?
People 40 and older (95% of all cases)
People 18-39 years of age, combined with the following:
Tobacco Use
Chronic Alcohol Consumption
Oral HPV infection
Who is at Highest risk?
People age 65 and older with lifestyle risk factors
People with history of oral cancer
The typical risk factors for oral cancer such as, tobacco use and alcohol consumption, may be commonly known, however, a new risk factor called HPV (Human Papilloma Virus), is now changing the face of oral cancer. HPV is a common sexually transmitted virus that has long been known to cause cervical cancer in women and recent studies show that it may play a role in more than 25% of oral cancer cases.
Despite these risk factors, the ADA has reported that 25 percent of oral cancers occur in people who do not show any risk factors. Therefore, we believe that every patient should be tested for oral cancer at least once a year. When oral cancer is found at its earliest stages, treatment can be successful 82% of the time. Yet more than 8,000 Americans die of orally-related cancer every year because they do not have regular oral cancer examinations or delay seeking treatment. Early detection is a key to help save lives.
You can reduce your risk of oral cancer by practicing the following:
- Be familiar with the risks of oral cancer and if you are at risk
- Inform Dr. Penski, Irvin or Farzin and your hygienist about your risk factors
- Avoid tobacco and the excessive use of alcohol
- Be familiar with the symptoms of oral cancer
- Have an oral cancer screening at least once a year
What are common oral cancer signs and symptoms?
- A persistent sore in the mouth that doesn't heal after 10-14 days
- A sore that bleeds easily
- A white or red spot in the mouth
- Inexplicable pain or soreness in the throat, mouth or lips
- Numbness of any part of the mouth
- Difficulty chewing, swallowing or moving the tongue or jaw
If caught early, oral cancer is one of the most curable diseases. Penski, Irvin & Associates is proud to offer a simple test at our office called, ViziLite™ Plus, that helps detect oral cancer at its earliest stages. ViziLite™ Plus uses a light source that helps improve the examiner's ability to identify abnormalities that may have been missed under normal lighting.The ViziLite™ Plus test is quick and pain-free; taking only a few minutes. After swishing a cleansing solution in your mouth for 60 seconds, your hygienist or doctor will perform a visual examination using the ViziLite™ Plus with TBlue. This revolutionary technology enables us to recognize potential oral cancer areas early and treat them before they become more serious.
For more information regarding Oral Cancer go to this link from CNN Health.
http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2011/10/03/increase-in-oral-cancers-linked-to-hpv/?hpt=hp_t2