Early Detection Is Critical
Oral cancer survival rates for oral cancers have not improved significantly over the last 40 years. In fact, one American dies of oral cancer every hour of every day. Oral cancer is 90% treatable when it’s detected in the early stages. However, because it’s often detected late, the five-year survival rate for oral cancer is only 57%.
To improve the overall survival rate for oral cancers, Skowronski Family Dentistry is doing our part by performing oral cancer screening annually for all patients age 40 and over (90% of oral cancer victims are over 40) and younger for patients with risk factors like tobacco and alcohol use.
To make oral cancer screening as quick, effective, and noninvasive as possible, we use VELscope® Vx.
How VELscope Vx Works
In looking for cancers, we examine your mouth for suspicious lesions that might be cancerous.. VELscope Vx helps us tell the difference through the phenomenon of autofluorescence.
When hit with the right color of blue light, oral mucosa will give off green light. However, precancerous lesions do not. When hit with this same color of light, they remain dark.
With VELscope Vx, we shine the proper color of light in your mouth and look for dark areas. If we find them, we may recommend an additional screening, such as a biopsy.
Early cancer screening with VELscope Vx is quick—it takes just two minutes—and highly effective. Clinical studies show that it could be up to 100% effective at detecting malignant lesions.
Get Oral Cancer Screening
If you are concerned about the potential risk of oral cancer, it’s important to get screened for this deadly cancer at least once a year. If you are overdue for an oral cancer screening in Sterling Heights, MI, let Skowronski Family Dentistry help. Please call (586) 977-8413 today for an appointment.