Dr. Kristen Kelly

 

Oral cancer virus affects 7 percent of  Americans: EARLY detection is the KEY

Throat and neck cancer have been increasing over the last 25 years. Until now, doctors and researchers alike were confused as to the reason behind the increase. New studies show that 7% of teens and adults alike carry HPV (human papilloma virus) in their mouth.

The transmission of HPV orally is linked mainly to the practice of unsafe oral sex. Although originally believed that HPV could be spread through kissing and social contact like drinking after someone, the theory has been disproved.

Oral cancer is not limited to HPV transmitted sexually. Increase risk also comes with the use of tobacco and alcohol, but not limited to. Studies have shown that  25% of victims oral cancer are non-smokers, non-drinkers, and are considered to have no other lifestyle risk factors contingent with HPV, so anyone can be at risk for Oral cancer.

Signs and symptoms of HPV are usually slow to make an appearance and are easier to treat if found in a timely manner. It is encouraged to have an oral cancer screening completed when having your semiannual cleaning and exam and is generally a common practice among dental professionals.



Importance of  Regular Dental Check-ups


Oral cancer screening is a routine part of a dental examination. Regular check-ups, including an examination of the entire mouth, are essential in the early detection of cancerous and pre-cancerous conditions. You may have a very small, but dangerous, oral spot or sore and not be aware of it.
Your dentist will carefully examine the inside of your mouth and tongue and in some patients may notice a flat, painless, white or red spot or a small sore. Although most of these are harmless, some are not. Harmful oral spots or sores often look identical to those that are harmless, but testing can tell them apart. If you have a sore with a likely cause, your dentist may treat it and ask you to return for re-examination.
Dentists often will notice a spot or sore that looks harmless and does not have a clear cause. To ensure that a spot or sore is not dangerous, your dentist may choose to perform a simple test, such as a brush test. A brush test collects cells from a suspicious lesion in the mouth. The cells are sent to a laboratory for analysis. If precancerous cells are found, the lesion can be surgically removed if necessary during a separate procedure. It’s important to know that all atypical and positive results from a brush test must be confirmed by incisional biopsy and histology

Sign/Symptoms of Oral Cancer

Skin lesion, lump, or ulcer that do not resolve in 14 days located:

• On the tongue, lip, or other mouth areas
• Usually small
• Most often pale colored, be dark or discolored
• Early sign may be a white patch (leukoplakia) or a red patch (erythroplakia) on the soft tissues of the mouth
• Usually painless initially
• May develop a burning sensation or pain when the tumor is advanced

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

• Tongue problems
• Swallowing difficulty
• Mouth sores
• Pain and paraesthesia are late symptoms.

Many products are available in your dental office to provide early detection. The Most common of these is  VIZILITE® PLUS IN STM® .

ViziLite® Plus with TBlue® is the leading oral cancer screening system that was developed to help oral health care professionals identify, evaluate, monitor and mark abnormal oral lesions suspicious for pathology including precancerous cells and cancer that may be difficult to see during a regular visual exam.

 Squamous cell carcinoma

What you see under normal light

So schedule your dental visit today. Early detection is the key!


Dr.Kristen Kelly, DDS
1963 Northpoint Blvd. suite 113
(423)702-4034