Derry Oral Cancer Screening - Derry Dental Associates - VELscope Oral Cancer Exam
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Most people are surprised to learn that one American dies every hour from oral cancer; a death rate that has remained virtually unchanged for more than 40 years.
In fact, recent statistics published by the American Cancer Society indicate that while the incidence and death rates for cancers overall has decreased, the incidence of oral cancer has increased by 5.5% and the death rate has increased by 1.5%
VELscope® is a revolutionary hand-held device that provides dentists and hygienists with an easy-to-use adjunctive mucosal examination system for the early detection of abnormal tissue. VELscope’s fluorescence technology aids in the early visualization of mucosal diseases and enhances effective oral mucosal screening.
For more information about VELscope® and the VELscope® examination, Click Here to watch when VELscope was featured on the ABC show, "The Doctors."
Oral cancer is far too often discovered in late stage development, the primary reason for the consistently high death rate. Oral cancer treatment often results in disfiguring effects on patients, and can seriously compromise their quality of life. Early detection and diagnosis can make a tremendous difference in life expectancy; oral cancer is 90% curable when found in its early stages. Unfortunately, 70% of oral cancers are diagnosed in the late stages, III and IV, leading to a five-year survival rate of 57%.
THE DEADLY STATISTICS
- Every hour of every day, one American dies of oral cancer.
- The mortality rate associated with oral cancer has not improved significantly in the last 40 years.
- The death rate in the United States for oral cancer is higher than that of cervical cancer, Hodgkin's disease, cancer of the brain, liver, testes, kidney, or ovary.
- More than 30,000 Americans will receive an oral cancer diagnosis this year. In five years, only 57% will still be alive.
- 27% of oral cancer victims do not use tobacco or alcohol and have no other lifestyle risk factors.
VELscope® as part of a comprehensive oral screening
Oral cancer is one of the most curable diseases when it's caught early. That's why the VELscope® exam has been developed. VELscope® uses technology that has proven successful in identifying soft tissue abnormalities in other areas of the body. VELscope® Plus exam is particularly important if you are at increased risk for developing oral cancer.
The VELscope® exam can help your dentist or hygienist identify abnormal tissue, that might develop into oral cancer. An annual VELscope® exam, in combination with a regular visual examination, provides a comprehensive oral screening procedure for patients at increased risk for oral cancer. The VELscope® exam is painless and fast, and could help save your life.
How VELscope® Works
As with most serious diseases, early detection is the key to successful outcomes. Unfortunately, the problem with oral cancer is that approximately 70% of the time it is not visible to the dental professional until it has reached an advanced stage. VELscope® technology assists your dental professional in seeing abnormal tissue in the mouth, before it is plainly obvious.
As VELscope® passes over oral tissue that has been treated with the rinse solution, normal healthy tissue will absorb the light and appear dark, abnormal tissue will appear white. The purpose of using VELscope® is to identify tissue changes at their earliest stage; once abnormal tissue has been identified it is up to your dental professional to determine what the appropriate next steps are.