Oral Cancer: Early Detection Can Save Your Life
Did you know that oral cancer kills one person every twenty-four hours in North America? The incidence of oral cancer in the United States will increase again this year. Oral cancer has an overall 52% survival rate after five years, but when detected early the rate increases to above 80%. Over the last fifty years we have been fortunate enough to witness great strides in cancer treatment. For many types of cancers the rates have been in decline for decades.
Why then, is oral cancer one of the only cancers that continually increase in the rate of occurrence? There may be more than one reason behind the fact that oral cancer is more prevalent than ever. First, there may have been a disconnect between physicians and dentists thinking that the other was continually evaluating the patient while in reality, no one was looking for any type of oral tissue abnormalities. Second, until recently we were without a device to help with oral cancer detection. This has all changed with the discovery of fluorescent light technology used in the VELscope system. The non-invasive examination allowed by the VELscope provides a beam of fluorescent light into the tissues and helps us differentiate between normal and abnormal tissue. Last, there has been evidence linking the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) with oral cancer. HPV is thought to cause as many upper throat and tongue cancers as alcohol. There are several strains of this virus but the one affecting oral tissue is considered a sexually transmitted disease (STD).
Although the amount of people smoking and using tobacco products has somewhat decreased oral cancer rates continue to rise. As better detection prevails five year survival rates will improve but the incidence will increase due to the HPV. Currently, there is a vaccine used against HPV regarding cervical cancer. This vaccine is used amongst teenage girls to reduce their exposure to HPV and subsequent cervical cancer. The oral HPV link is found at a higher incidence in men thus prompting the FDA to consider this vaccine for males as well.
It is important to remember that oral cancer has an overall 52% survival rate after five years, but when detected early the rate increases to above 80%. At Berardi Dentistry, we are able to provide oral cancer screening services. If you are interested in having us evaluate your mouth for oral cancer, contact us at 716-633-2327.
