ViziLite Oral Cancer Screening

Oral Cancer Screening

Oral cancer is one of the deadliest of cancers (43 percent of patients won't survive five years) and 30,000  Americans will be diagnosed with it this year.  It is more common than leukemia, Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, brain, ovarian or stomach cancer.  In the past, by the time oral cancer screening had identified cancer, it had reached the third stage.  The upside is that we now have an early screening exam in the office.  The need for early detection of oral cancers is paramount since it is most curable when caught early and 27% of oral cancers occur in individuals who don’t smoke or have other lifestyle risk factors.  Patients who are at increased risk are age 18-39, sexually active or have a history of HPV, high risk patients are tobacco users under 40 and anyone over 40, and the highest risk individuals are over 40 with tobacco use or other lifestyle risk  factors and/or a history of oral cancer.  Everyone is familiar with the early detection screenings of Mammogram, PSA test, and Pap Smear.  The information gained from these screenings is less effective than that of oral cancer screenings.  We now offer a simple 2 minute annual screening exam to detect pre-cancerous oral tissues.  In a simple three step process of rinsing, examination with the ViziLite technology and further examination with a Dye if areas of concern are noted, we can identify premalignant lesions and refer for care earlier than ever before.  When lesions are found early, treatment is easier, less invasion and more than 90% successful.  Along with the American Cancer Society, we are  recommending all patients over the age of 18 be screened annually, and some dental benefits are beginning to cover its cost.