Oral Cancer and You

ORAL CANCER IS ON THE RISE BUT EARLY DETECTION SAVES LIVES


Most people are surprised to learn that each year one American dies every hour from oral cancer, making this type of cancer deadlier than cervical, brain, ovary or skin cancer. In fact, recent statistics published by the American Cancer Society estimates that while the incidence and death rates for cancers overall have decreased, new cases of oral cancer and deaths associated with oral cancer are increasing. However, oral cancer is one of the most curable diseases when it’s caught early. When premalignant lesions or early stage oral cancer is found, treatment is simpler, less invasive and more than 82% successful.*

Many people die from oral cancer because it is not detected at an early stage. With the technology of today, this tragedy no longer has to be accepted in society. ViziLite Plus now offers us a more advanced way to screen and detect oral cancer earlier than ever before.

ViziLite Plus is an oral lesion identification and marking system that is used as an adjunct to the conventional head and neck examination. It is comprised of a chemiluminescent light source (ViziLite) to improve the identification of lesions and a blue phenothiazine dye to mark those lesions identified by ViziLite. ViziLite Plus uses technology that has proven successful in identifying soft tissue abnormalities in other areas of the body.

Early detection of oral cancer saves lives.

ViziLite Plus® is a proven screening technology that assists in the early detection of oral abnormalities, including premalignant lesions and oral cancer. Early detection tools such as Pap smears, PSA tests and mammograms have greatly reduced death rates for cervical, prostate and breast cancers. ViziLite Plus improves the dentist’s ability to identify, evaluate and monitor abnormal areas that are difficult to see under conventional lighting. By incorporating this simple, quick and painless exam into their practices, dentists are our first line of defense in fighting this deadly disease. The ViziLite Plus exam can potentially help save lives. And, it shows our patients that their overall health is important to us and that we do so much more than just check for cavities.

Oral Cancer Risk Factors

Age is the primary risk factor for all types of cancer, and 90% of oral cancer occurs in adults over age 40. However, all adults age 18 and older are considered to be at increased risk. Alarmingly, over 25% of oral cancers occur in people who don’t smoke and have no other lifestyle risk factors.**†

Another reason for concern about oral cancer is the human papilloma virus (HPV). HPV is an extremely common sexually transmitted infection and especially prevalent in young adults 14-24 years old. Few people even know they have it. HPV has long been known to cause cervical cancer and now studies suggest it also plays a role in as many as 22% of oral cancer cases.***

Dentists and hygienists are the best overall defense against oral cancer; they are in fact, lifesavers. No other medical professionals are as well positioned to address this potentially deadly disease at its earliest stage. The key is to identify oral abnormalities at their most easily treated stage of development. ViziLite Plus should be offered annually to all new and re-care adult patients following the standard head and neck exam. Patients with a history of oral cancer should receive at least semi-annual ViziLite Plus exams. The ViziLite Plus exam is painless and fast, and could help save your life.


*ACS Cancer Facts & Figures 2006
**2006 SEER data