Oral cancer is one of the few types of cancer that haven't experienced a significantly reduced mortality rate in the past 30 years. In fact, the number of North Americans developing oral cancer is three times the number who develop cervical cancer. Sadly, one North American dies of oral cancer every hour of every day.
The problem: Oral cancer is discovered in late stages about 70% of the time, and often that is simply too late.
Oral cancer has traditionally been associated with tobacco usage and it's true that the majority of oral cancer victims smoke or use chewing tobacco, consume alcohol and are over 40. But the group experiencing the highest growth rate of oral cancer incidence does not fit this traditional "at risk" profile. More and more, oral cancer is striking younger people who don't use tobacco or abuse alcohol.
In many cases, the cause appears to be one of two strains of the human papilloma virus (HPV-16 or HPV-18) that can be contracted during sexual intercourse and especially oral sex.
As a result, health care experts recommend annual oral cancer screenings for all adults ages 18 and older. If you smoke or use tobacco, screenings are recommended every six months.
Our practice has purchased a state-of-the-art device called the VELscope oral cancer screening system. We can use this device to literally see beneath the surface to detect potentially dangerous growths we might have otherwise missed.
In most cases, the VELscope exam will reveal nothing of concern and take only a few minutes as part of a regular hygiene check-up. It involves no pain and is completely safe. We think you will find this additional cost for this exam to be very reasonable, and it might be that the cost will be covered by your insurance.
We think that you'll appreciate the peace-of-mind this screening can provide.
The problem: Oral cancer is discovered in late stages about 70% of the time, and often that is simply too late.
Oral cancer has traditionally been associated with tobacco usage and it's true that the majority of oral cancer victims smoke or use chewing tobacco, consume alcohol and are over 40. But the group experiencing the highest growth rate of oral cancer incidence does not fit this traditional "at risk" profile. More and more, oral cancer is striking younger people who don't use tobacco or abuse alcohol.
In many cases, the cause appears to be one of two strains of the human papilloma virus (HPV-16 or HPV-18) that can be contracted during sexual intercourse and especially oral sex.
As a result, health care experts recommend annual oral cancer screenings for all adults ages 18 and older. If you smoke or use tobacco, screenings are recommended every six months.
Our practice has purchased a state-of-the-art device called the VELscope oral cancer screening system. We can use this device to literally see beneath the surface to detect potentially dangerous growths we might have otherwise missed.
In most cases, the VELscope exam will reveal nothing of concern and take only a few minutes as part of a regular hygiene check-up. It involves no pain and is completely safe. We think you will find this additional cost for this exam to be very reasonable, and it might be that the cost will be covered by your insurance.
We think that you'll appreciate the peace-of-mind this screening can provide.
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