Detect Oral Cancer at Its Earliest Stage
Oral cancer is a serious health concern, but it’s also highly treatable when caught early. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, someone dies from oral cancer every hour in the United States—but many of these deaths are preventable with early detection and prompt treatment. We screen for Oral Cancer at least 1 time per year during an annual cleaning and exam visit.
Why Are Oral Cancer Screenings Important?
Oral cancer often develops without obvious symptoms in its early stages. Unfortunately, many cases aren’t diagnosed until the cancer has progressed, making it harder to treat. Routine oral cancer screenings allow us to detect abnormalities at the earliest and most treatable stage.
The goal of screening is to identify any suspicious growths, lesions, or tissue changes early—when treatment is simplest and most effective. An oral cancer screening can help you avoid delayed diagnosis and ensure you receive prompt, potentially life-saving care.
What is VELscope® Oral Cancer Screening?
The VELscope® uses Fluorescence Visualization (FV) in an exciting new way. Bright blue light is shone into the mouth to expose changes and lesions that would otherwise be invisible to the naked eye. Oral cancer screening is not always easy to diagnose through a visual exam. One of the biggest difficulties in diagnosing oral cancer is that its symptoms look similar to symptoms of less serious problems. The VELscope® tool affords our providers important insight as to what is happening beneath the surface.
The healthy soft tissue of the mouth naturally absorbs the VELscope® frequency of blue light. Healthy areas beneath the surface of the soft tissue show up green, and the problem areas become much darker.
Here are some of the advantages of using the VELscope® System:
- Can be combined with digital photography.
- Detects lesions, white and red patches.
- Detects problem areas that cannot be seen under white light.
- Exposes precancerous and cancerous tissue.
- FDA-approved.
- Helps dentists check that diseased soft tissue is completely removed.
- Helps diagnose oral cancer in its earliest stages, exponentially increasing the chance of survival.
- Quick, painless examinations.
Who Should Get an Oral Cancer Screening?
Everyone should be screened for oral cancer at least once a year, but some individuals may need more frequent screenings based on risk factors.
You may be at higher risk if you:
- Use tobacco (including cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, or vaping products)
- Consume heavy amounts of alcohol
- Have been exposed to HPV (Human Papillomavirus)
- Have a history of oral cancer
- Have a family history of cancer
- Are over the age of 40 (although cases in younger adults are rising)
If you fall into one or more of these categories, talk to us about a screening schedule that’s right for you.