Oral Cancer update

On Monday, April 19th Dr. Oz had a segment dealing with oral cancer and the importance of early detection. Over the last several years oral cancer has become one of the more deadly  cancers and Dr. Oz and a Dr. Curatola discusses the use of violet wavelength to help detect changes in the tissue of the oral cavity.  One of the big reasons oral cancer has been on the rise is because of the the HPV -16 virus (the one responsible for a majority of the cervical cancers).   Researchers have noted a 5 times increase in the occurrence of oral cancer in those under the age of 40 due to the exposure of the HPV virus during oral sex. Dr. Curatola recommends annual screenings for those over the age of 17.

From Dr. Weil’s health e-letter he discusses 5 ways to prevent oral cancer .

1. Don’t use tobacco. Up to 90% of patients with oral cancers use tobacco, and the risk increases with the amount smoked or chewed. Quitting smoking and chewing tobacco will lower your risk, even after years of use.
2. Moderate your drinking.   About 75% to 80% of patients with oral cancer drink alcohol frequently
3. Limit your exposure to sunlight.   More than 30% of patients with cancers of the lip have outdoor jobs associated with prolonged and repeated exposure to sunlight.
4. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.   A diet low in the natural antioxidants fresh produce provides is associated with an increased risk of developing cancer of the oral cavity.
5. Know the Signs. If you have a sore in your mouth that doesn’t heal easily or is always bleeding, or a persistent pain in the mouth or ear, see your dentist or physician immediately. Early detection and treatment increases chances of recovery.

At Southern California Dental health Associates the screening device we use is called the Velscope. The Velscope allows us to use naturally occurring fluorophores to check the difference between healthy tissue and diseased tissue, allowing us to see changes that we can not see with the naked eye. According to the FDA the “Velscope is intended to be used by a dentist or health-care provider as an adjunct to traditional oral examination by incandescent light to enhance the visualization of oral mucosal abnormalities “

At Southern California Dental Health associates we understand the oral cancer is a small problem in the scheme of things…unless you have the problem. We do offer Velscope Oral Cancer Screenings at a fee of $49.00

Just to throw this out to all of you.   A good rule of thumb is that any site that has a change to the tissue, and it does not heal in 14 days should be looked at by a health provider.   Better to be safe than sorry.

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