Screening is Important

Oral cancer concerns are hitting the national news circuit more and more. A recent post to CNN has caught many people's attention and has been a source of concern. To learn more visit:

http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2011/10/03/increase-in-oral-cancers-linked-to-hpv/?iref=allsearch

When found at early stages of development, oral cancers have an 80 to 90% survival rate. Unfortunately the majority of cases are found as late-stage cancers, accounting for the high death rate of about 45% at five years from diagnosis, and high treatment related morbidity in survivors.

• Found early, while still Localized (confined to the primary site), oral cancer's five-year survival rate is strong: about 83%. Only 33% of all oral cancer discoveries fall into this category.
• Found while Regional (after progressed to regional lymph nodes), the five-year survival rate drops significantly, to about 55%. Approximately 46% of all oral cancer discoveries are Regional.
• Found late, oral cancer's five-year survival rate is poor: approximately 32%. This accounts for approximately 14% of all oral cancer findings.

Clearly, finding oral cancer in its early stages is key to survival. Routine VELscope Vx examinations can improve the morbidity and mortality of oral-cancer, because the VELscope Vx system assists in early detection, potentially saving lives through less invasive, more effective treatment. (Velscope.com)

Great Article for Men

Linked below is a great article for men and their rising risk for HPV related oral cancer.

http://www.menshealth.com/health/womens-disease-men-should-care-about


The dentist is still the best “first line” defense. Most dentists will perform a routine oral cancer examination, but by the time a lesion is visible to the naked eye it decreases the chance for successful treatment. With the advent of the Velscope, dentists now have an advanced screening test for abnormal areas. The earlier the recognition and the treatment the better the long term outlook.

Come see us for your yearly oral cancer screening!

The New Player in Oral Cancer for Men

Human Papilloma Virus, the same STD that causes genital warts and cervical cancer in women, is now the top cause of oral cancer in men, responsible for more cases than either smoking or drinking. About 65 percent of oral cancer tumors were linked to HPV in 2007, according to the National Cancer Institute. While the same uptick isn't occurring among tobacco smokers. An increase in HPV-16 in the U.S. is changing the face of oral cancer to mostly white, male nonsmokers in their late thirties and early forties.

A development in the war on oral cancer is a new, easy test to check for oral HPV. OraRisk® HPV test is a screening tool that allows identification of types of HPV that could potentially lead to oral cancer. Early detection and identification of the presence or absence of oral HPV is important, as early oral HPV infections do not typically cause any clinical signs or symptoms.

Oral cancer has such a low survival rate because it is generally not discovered until it has spread to other areas, according to the CDC. Only half of people who've been diagnosed with oral cancer will live longer than five years.

To help screen for oral cancer our office performs a visual oral cancer exam. We also offer VELscope an advanced screening tool that can help discover problems much sooner than under normal light conditions. Catching oral cancer early is the biggest key to successful treatment.

Dr. Jeremy Smith