In our practice, as your healthcare provider, we seek to provide you access to the newest and most effective screening and treatment. Historically, our practice has used the white light examination for oral cancer. The use of narrow band blue light and green reflected light in the VELscope technology, helps us detect in the oral tissue various problems including cancer lesions and dysplasia.
Early detection of oral cancer is important to provide early treatment and avoidance of the problems which arise from late stage detection of oral cancer. We encourage you to discuss with us your questions related to detection of oral cancer.
The Oral Cancer Foundation advises that one American dies every hour from oral cancer. Late detection of oral cancer is the primary cause that both the incidence and mortality rates of oral cancer continue to increase. Age, tobacco and alcohol use are contributing risk factors but more than 25% of oral cancer victims have no such lifestyle risk factors. Recently scientists have established a connection between HPV viral infection in the mouth and the occurrence of oral cancer. Oral Cancer incidence is increasing as other cancer incidence is decreasing.
A safe visible blue light is emitted by the VELscope Vx system, which is a natural tissue fluorescence. On rare occasions patients may experience temporary dry mouth, a burning sensation in the mouth or lips, and/or perceived loss of ability to taste. Some oral medications will make you more sensitive to light.