April 8-15 has been dedicated to raising awareness for Oral cancer. In the U.S. an estimated 50,000 people are diagnosed while 9,000 die. Because of this, it is very important to get your routine dental exam and request for a VELscope oral cancer detection screening. In today’s Blog Post we will be discussing the VELscope Vx, a tool used to detect signs of oral cancer.
Oral Cancer and Oral Disease
The VELscope Vx helps us identify oral disease early while it’s still easy to treat. One of the VELscope’s most important tasks is to help locate areas that might, if not treated, progress to oral cancer.
If found early, the oral cancer 5 year survival rate is approximately 83%.
If found late, the oral cancer 5 year survival rate is approximately 32%.
Clearly, finding oral cancer in its early states is key to survival.
The VELscope Vx offers hope for the early discovery of oral disease, including precancer and cancer.
Risk Factors
Cigarettes and chewing tobacco, alongside alcohol are the leading causes of oral cancer. Over the last four decades, the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), known for its role in cervical cancer, has been showing up in increasing numbers of oral cancer cases.
Why Use the VELscope Vx?
The VELscope’s blue light stimulates natural fluorescence in the soft tissues of your mouth.
Natural fluorescence, seen through the VELscope Vx, allows dental professionals to see disease not visible with the naked eye.
The VELscope Vx helps us discover oral disease before it can be seen under ordinary light.
Unlike other devices used for oral examinations, the VELscope Vx does not require any dyes, liquids to rinse, or prolonged testing procedures. In fact, the exam can be performed in the dentist's office during a routine hygiene exam in about two minutes. If you’re in the Northridge area, book your appointment today and prevent oral cancer.