Oral Cancer Screening
Did you know …
- In 2006, approximately 34,000 people in North America were diagnosed with oral cancer, and 8,500 died from the disease.
- You are at an increased risk of developing oral cancer if you smoke, drink alcohol, and/or are over 40.
- 25% of oral cancer cases don’t fit the high-risk profile.
- Nearly half of oral cancer patients are expected to die within 5 years following diagnosis, but the disease is 80 to 90% survivable if diagnosed early.
- Unfortunately, only 35% of oral cancer cases are diagnosed in the early stages.
Learn More About VELscope
Early detection of oral lesions through tissue fluorescence
Fluorescence visualization assists healthcare professionals in identifying oral abnormalities at the earliest stages. The VELscope technology platform is based on the direct visualization of tissue fluorescence and the changes that occur when abnormal cells are present.
The VELscope hand piece emits a safe blue light into the oral cavity, which causes tissue fluorescence from the surface of the epithelium through to the basal membrane, where pre-malignant changes typically start. By utilizing special optical filters in the VELscope hand piece, we are able to view the different fluorescence signatures in the oral tissue immediately, and differentiate between normal and abnormal cellular activity.
VELscope helps our team evaluate oral mucosa for abnormal areas of concern, such as potentially cancerous lesions, which are often undetectable under white light. VELscope is a revolutionary hand-held device that gives us an easy-to-use adjunctive screening instrument to assist in the early detection of oral mucosal abnormalities.
Typically, healthy tissue appears apple green, while the suspicious regions are identified by a loss of fluorescence, and thus appear dark. When used in combination with white-light examination, VELscope is setting a new standard of care for early detection in oral mucosal screening.
Healthy tissue fluorescence
VELscope provides for a more effective oral mucosal screening protocol, with immediate benefits for the patient, clinician, and practice. When used as an adjunctive aid in combination with traditional oral cancer examination procedures, VELscope facilitates the early discovery and visualization of mucosal abnormalities prior to surface exposure that may be, or may lead to, oral cancer.
We just repeat the intraoral portion of the oral cancer screening — no rinses required — which adds only about two extra minutes to the entire screening procedure. A VELscope examination helps oral healthcare professionals assure their patients that the standard of care for oral mucosal screening has been applied.
Through the CDT-2005 code D04316, insurance companies are increasingly recognizing VELscope as an adjunctive screening device. VELscope combines minimal per-patient costs with more effective screening.
Photos courtesy of the British Columbia Oral Cancer Prevention Program
Ask for an oral cancer exam with VELscope today! It’s quick and painless, and it may save your life! Visit www.velscope.com today!