Recent news from the American Cancer Society: Oral cancer is on the rise.
Despite the first overall reduction in the total incidence of cancer and cancer-related deaths, one American dies every hour from oral cancer. The American Cancer Society reported a 5.5% increase in new cases of oral cancer and a 1.5% increase in deaths associated with oral cancer.
Alarmingly more than 25% of oral cancers occur in people who don't smoke and have no other lifestyle risk factors. This means you could be at risk of oral cancer. That's why your dentist recommends annual ViziLite Plus exams for all adults patients.
Early detection saves lives. ViziLite Plus helps early detection.
Oral cancer is one of the most curable diseases when it's caught early. That's why your dentist performs an annual ViziLite Plus exam, in combination with a conventional visual examination. ViziLite Plus uses technology that has been proven successful in identifying other types of precancerous and cancerous abnormalities. It's particularly important for patients at increased risk for oral cancer.
When premalignancies or early-stage oral cancer is found, treatment is simpler, less invasive and more than 90% successful. ViziLite Plus helps your dentist identify oral lesions sooner.
The American Cancer Society recommends patients have a complete oral soft tissue examination at least once a year.
Now we have a new technology to use in additional to visual/manual screening methods. Early detection is key to reducing the devastating impact of oral cancer on patients and their families. The ViziLite exam can help detect abnormalities that might develop into oral cancer.
Who's at risk for oral cancer?
Increased Risk
- Patients age 18-39 without lifestyle risk factors
High Risk
- Patients age 40 and older without lifestyle risk factors
- Tobacco users (any age, any type)
Highest Risk
- Patients age 40 and older with lifestyle risk factors (tobacco use/alcohol consumption)
- Patients with history of oral cancer
Why we recommend annual ViziLite Plus exams
- ViziLite Plus is a simple technology that assists dental professionals in the early detection of oral abnormalities.
- Quite simply, early detection saves lives. When oral cancer is found early, treatment is 90% successful and the disfiguring effects of the disease are minimized.
- The ViziLite Plus exam improves the examiner's ability to identify, evaluate and monitor abnormal areas.