ViziLite Plus Exams to Detect Oral Cancer Earlier!

Most people are surprised to learn that each year one American dies every hour from oral cancer, making this type of cancer deadlier than cervical, brain, ovary or skin cancer . In fact, recent statistics published by the American Cancer Society estimates that while the incidence and death rates for cancers overall have decreased, new cases of oral cancer and deaths associated with oral cancer are increasing. However, oral cancer is one of the most curable disease when it’s caught early . When pre-malignant lesions or early stage oral cancer is found, treatment is simpler, less invasive and more than 82% successful.*

Many people die from oral cancer because it is not detected at an early stage. That’s why we at McKenna Family Dentistry offer our patients the benefits of an annual ViziLite Plus screening

Early detection of oral cancer saves lives.

ViziLite Plus® is a proven screening technology that assists in the early detection of oral abnormalities, including premalignant lesions and oral cancer. Early detection tools such as Pap smears, PSA tests and mammograms have greatly reduced death rates for cervical, prostate and breast cancers. ViziLite Plus improves the dentist’s ability to identify, evaluate and monitor abnormal areas that are difficult to see under conventional lighting. By incorporating this simple, quick and painless exam into their practices, dentists are our first line of defense in fighting this deadly disease.

The ViziLite Plus exam can potentially help save lives. And, it shows our patients that their overall health is important to us and that we do so much more than just check for cavities.”

Oral Cancer Risk Factors

Age is the primary risk factor for all types of cancer, and 90% of oral cancer occurs in adults over age 40. However, all adults age 18 and older are considered to be at increased risk. Alarmingly, over 25% of oral cancers occur in people who don’t smoke and have no other lifestyle risk factors.** †

Another reason for concern about oral cancer is the human papilloma virus (HPV). HPV is an extremely common sexually transmitted infection and especially prevalent in young adults 14-24 years old. Few people even know they have it. HPV has long been know to cause cervical cancer and now studies suggest it also plays a role in as many as 22% of oral cancer cases.***

________________________________________________________

† Lifestyle risk factors are defined as tobacco use, chronic alcohol use of at least two ounces of alcohol three times per week, and HIV/HPV

*ACS Cancer Facts & Figures 2006

**2006 SEER data

*** Herrero R et al., for the IARC Multicenter Oral Cancer Study Group. Human papillomavirus and oral cancer: the International Agency for Research on Cancer multicenter study. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2003; 95(23):1772-83.

How ViziLite Plus 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. ViziLite Plus technology assists your dental professional in seeing abnormal tissue in the mouth, before it is plainly obvious.

As ViziLite Plus 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 ViziLite Plus 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.