Velscope – Oral Cancer Screening

Despite the many recent advances in oral cancer diagnostic and treatment technologies, oral cancer survival rates have not made any significant improvements in the last 30 years.  Much of this has to do with the fact that oral cancer is difficult to detect in its early stages. Until recent years, the techniques and technology necessary to reliably detect cancerous and pre-cancerous cells in the mouth were not available.

 

The Velscope is an oral cancer screening device that has vastly improved the screening process. Oral cancer begins beneath the surface of the gums and other soft tissues where the naked eye cannot see it. The Velscope is a hand-held device that emits a special wave of light on the gums and other soft tissues inside your mouth that can detect cell changes beneath the outer layer of the gums.

 

While the unfortunate fact remains that 50% of oral cancer cases do not survive beyond 5 years, nearly all oral cancer is curable if detected early enough. Velscope makes this possible.

 

Risk Factors for Oral Cancer

 

  • Age – Most new oral cancer patients are over the age of 40.
  • Alcohol and tobacco use – At least 75% of new oral cancer patients are tobacco users. Individuals who both smoke and drink are 15 times more likely to develop oral cancer.
  • HPV – Certain strains of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV16 and 18, specifically) put you at increased risk of oral cancer.
  • Diet – Studies have shown that a diet low in fruits and vegetables can be a risk factor for oral cancer.

 

These risk factors are not absolute. Approximately 25% of new oral cancer patients have none of these risk factors present. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you get a routine oral cancer screening after age 40, particularly if you possess one or more of these risk factors. With the Velscope, oral cancer screening is quick, easy, and painless. Considering the poor survival rate of oral cancer, it might just save your life.

 

If you live in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area and would like to schedule an oral cancer screening, please contact Pennsylvania general dentist Dr. Babak Firouzi at the Center for Exceptional Dentistry today.