Oral cancer is a serious and potentially deadly disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Unfortunately, symptoms are often difficult to detect until the disease has advanced to later stages. That’s why oral cancer screening is so important, especially with the use of Velscope. This revolutionary device can detect early signs of oral cancer before they become visible to the naked eye, making it a game-changer in the fight against this devastating disease. In this blog post, we’ll explore what oral cancer is, its symptoms, and current screening methods; but most importantly, we’ll dive into how Velscope is changing the game for oral cancer detection and prevention. Let’s get started!

What is Oral Cancer?

Oral cancer is a type of cancer that affects the mouth and throat. It can occur in any part of the oral cavity, including the lips, tongue, cheeks, gums, roof, or floor of the mouth. This type of cancer typically starts as a small white or red patch or an ulcer in the mouth that doesn’t heal.

Oral cancer is caused by abnormal growth and division of cells in your mouth. These abnormal cells grow uncontrollably and form a mass (tumor) which can invade nearby tissues and spread to other parts of your body.

There are several risk factors associated with oral cancer such as smoking tobacco products like cigarettes or cigars, using smokeless tobacco such as snuff or chewing tobacco, and excessive alcohol consumption. Other factors include exposure to human papillomavirus (HPV), poor dental hygiene habits, and overexposure to sunlight.

Unfortunately, because it often goes undetected until later stages when symptoms become more severe – early detection is key for successful treatment outcomes.

Symptoms of Oral Cancer

Oral cancer can manifest in various symptoms, and it’s essential to recognize them early on. Some common signs of oral cancer include persistent mouth sores, swelling or lumps in the mouth, tongue pain or numbness, difficulty chewing or swallowing, and changes in voice quality.

Additionally, you may experience unexplained weight loss or constant throat irritation with no apparent cause. Bleeding from the mouth is also a potential symptom that shouldn’t be ignored.

It’s important to note that these symptoms can indicate other conditions as well; however, if they persist for more than two weeks without any improvement despite medication usage change or an infection diagnosis by your doctor – it could be a sign of oral cancer.

Early detection is crucial when it comes to oral cancer treatment options. Therefore scheduling regular dental visits for professional screenings and self-examination at home can help detect any abnormalities early on.

Current Methods of Oral Cancer Screening

Currently, there are a few methods that dentists and doctors use to screen for oral cancer. The most common method is a visual examination of the mouth and throat, looking for any abnormalities or suspicious areas. This method includes checking the lips, gums, tongue, cheeks, palate, tonsils, and throat.

Another method is palpation which involves feeling around the neck and jawline for lumps or swollen lymph nodes. These can be signs that something is not right in the area.

A newer technology called fluorescence visualization using specialized lights can also assist with screening by highlighting abnormal tissue changes that may indicate early-stage cancer development. However, this technology has limitations as it cannot detect all types of oral cancers.

While these methods are useful in detecting potential issues with oral health they do have their limitations. That’s where Velscope comes into play as its advanced fluorescence visualization system offers earlier detection and better accuracy than traditional screening methods alone.

Why Velscope is a Game-Changer

Velscope is a non-invasive oral cancer screening device that uses fluorescence technology to detect abnormal tissues in the mouth. It works by emitting a blue light into the patient’s mouth, which makes healthy tissues appear green while diseased tissues appear dark.

What sets Velscope apart from other screening methods is its ability to detect early signs of oral cancer that may not be visible to the naked eye. This means that patients can receive treatment before their condition worsens and potentially becomes life-threatening.

Moreover, Velscope screenings are quick and painless, taking only a few minutes to complete. Patients simply need to rinse their mouths with a special solution and then have the light shine on their gums, cheeks, tongue, and throat.

Another advantage of using Velscope is its high accuracy rate in detecting early-stage oral cancers. In fact, studies have shown that it can identify precancerous or cancerous cells up to two years earlier than traditional methods like visual inspection or palpation.

Given its effectiveness and ease of use, it’s no wonder why Velscope has become such a game-changer in the field of dentistry. By offering this advanced screening option as part of regular dental check-ups, dental professionals can help save countless lives through the early detection and treatment of oral cancers.

How to Get Screened for Oral Cancer

Getting screened for oral cancer is a quick and painless process that can potentially save your life. If you’re interested in getting screened, the first step is to schedule an appointment with your dentist or healthcare provider. During the screening, your dentist will examine your mouth for any signs of abnormalities.

The Velscope system uses special lighting technology to highlight any potential areas of concern, which can then be further examined by your dentist. The entire screening process takes less than 10 minutes and does not require any special preparation on your part.

It’s important to note that while oral cancer screenings are recommended for everyone over the age of 18, they are particularly important if you have certain risk factors such as tobacco use or a family history of cancer.

Remember, early detection is key when it comes to treating oral cancer. By getting screened regularly, you can help ensure that any potential issues are caught early on and treated before they become more serious problems. Don’t hesitate – to schedule an appointment today!

Conclusion

Oral cancer is a serious and often deadly disease that can be prevented through early detection. While traditional screening methods have limitations, Velscope has emerged as a game-changer in the fight against oral cancer.

With its ability to detect abnormalities in the mouth at an early stage, Velscope offers hope for those who are at risk of developing this devastating disease. By getting screened regularly with Velscope, you can take control of your oral health and ensure that any signs of trouble are caught before they become more serious.

So if you’re due for an oral cancer screening or want to learn more about how Velscope works, don’t hesitate to contact your dentist or healthcare provider today!