Enhancing Oral Cancer Screening with Velscope
This month we recognize the importance of oral cancer screening in the prevention of late stage diagnosis for cancers of the mouth, neck and throat.
Oral cancer rates unfortunately continue to rise worldwide, and the Oral Cancer Foundation predicts that over 45,000 new cases will be diagnosed in 2015 in the United States alone. One of the major factors affecting the rate of this type of cancer is a lack of prevention through screening. Although oral cancer screening is quick, painless and relatively inexpensive, many go without it for years due to lack of dental and medical preventative care.
Medford, NJ dentist Dr. Poorva Parnaik offers oral cancer screening as part of routine dental care and also offers Velscope technology to enhance the visual screening procedure for a more accurate evaluation of a patient’s oral cavity. Early diagnosis can often be life saving as the survival rate drops dramatically for late stage oral cancer diagnosis.
How does Velscope work?
Velscope technology uses blue fluorescent light to examine the soft tissue of the mouth. Abnormal areas will not fluoresce properly, indicating the possible presence of cancerous cells and prompting further evaluation for oral cancer.
In addition to a traditional visual examination by Dr. Parnaik, this technology can aid in spotting oral cancer in the early stage, when treatment is likely to be both conservative and successful.
If you smoke or use tobacco of any kind, let us know at your next visit so we can discuss your increased risk for oral cancers and how to look for the early warning signs.
Dentistry and your health
When you visit our office in Medford dentist office twice a year for routine dental cleanings and exams, Dr. Parnaik is able to become familiarized with your oral health and more effectively spot suspicious areas of soft tissue or the appearance of sores or lumps in the mouth or neck area.
Preventive dental care is important for both maintaining lifelong dental health and playing a role in the prevention of health concerns such as oral cancer. Dr. Parnaik is a partner in your overall health care and in helping you to enjoy a good quality of life every day.