How An Oral Cancer Screening Could Save Your Life
A visit to the dentist could save your life! We all go to the dentist to maintain our teeth and dental health, but how many people visit the dentist for an oral cancer screening? Oral cancer is a lot more prevalent than you might think. It kills one person every hour, and without proper detection methods, you could have oral cancer and be completely unaware. Derna Dental, in Surrey, offers innovative oral cancer screenings that can detect the presence of oral cancer.
Who is at risk?
Oral cancer can be caused by regular use of tobacco, such as cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and chewing tobacco. Extreme usage of alcohol, or extreme sun exposure, is also cited as risk factors. Genetics plays a role, so if you have a family history of cancer, you are at a greater risk of developing oral cancer. Men over 50 are typically at risk of developing oral cancer. However, there has been an increase in the number of women with oral cancer due to the connection between oral cancer and human papilloma virus (HPV).
Identification
By identifying and treating oral cancer early, the survival rate is 80-90% greater. That’s why regular oral cancer screenings are so important. A screening at Derna Dental can detect if you possibly have oral cancer. This screening can jumpstart the process of identification and treatment which could save your life!
The VELscope screening system
Derna Dental uses the VELscope screening system. It consists of a specialized white light source and viewing scope that makes it simpler for your Derna Dental dentist to look carefully at the tissues inside your mouth. Normal tissues will glow a bright green colour. Irregular tissue appears much darker under the unique light However, an irregular screening does not always imply that the patient has cancer. If an irregular screening occurs, our Surrey dental professionals may arrange a second scan, later on, to see if the dark spots vanish. Or they might decide to perform a mild, non-invasive brush biopsy to see if it’s cancerous or not.
Oral cancer is common. Oral cancer is treatable. Oral cancer is easily detectable. Why not make oral cancer screening a regular part of your dental care routine? If you are all at risk of developing this type of cancer, an oral cancer screening is an easy way to gain peace of mind and ensure your overall health.
Contact the professionals at Derna Dental to book your oral cancer screening. To make an appointment call 604-543-9191.