Screening to ensure early detection and treatment is critical to the successful treatment of oral cancer. When oral cavity and pharynx cancer is detected before it has spread, the overall five-year survival rate is 84%. If oral cancer has spread before it is detected, however, that five-year survival rate falls to 65%. We screen for indications of possible oral cancer using the VELscope Oral Cancer Screening System.
Velscope Screening Near You
The VELscope Oral Cancer Screening system is a non-invasive and completely painless process of screening for indications of oral cancer. It can detect the presence of abnormal tissues that may indicate oral cancer before any other symptoms have developed. The VELscope does not use either dyes or rinses and causes no side effects. It is an entirely non-invasive process. Your dentist will use a handheld device to shine a blue light into your mouth to highlight abnormal tissues.
The VELscope’s blue light excites the epithelial tissue and underlying stroma, which causes them to fluoresce. “Excited” abnormal tissues appear very dark under blue light unlike healthy tissue which glows bright green. Under ordinary fluorescent lighting, it is impossible to visibly distinguish between abnormal and healthy tissue.
VELscope screening in NE Calgary, AB can be accomplished in just two minutes and will identify fungal infections and bacterial growth in addition to the presence of potential oral cancer. If fungal infections or bacterial growth are identified, your dentist will recommend improved oral hygiene and a remedial treatment plan to halt and eliminate the infection, and to prevent re-occurrence.
VELscope screening near you can detect abnormal tissues in as little as two minutes and before any other physical signs of oral cancer have developed. That early detection permits earlier intervention and significantly increases survival rates.
Key Points About Velscope Screening
- VELscope screening near you is part of your regular dental checkup.
- VELscope screening in NE Calgary, AB is painless and completely non-invasive.
- Oral cancers are most commonly diagnosed in people over 40 years old and are associated with smoking, drinking alcohol, and prolonged exposure to sunlight and other sources of ultraviolet radiation.
