Annual Screening for Oral Cancer is Imperative for Superior Health

Early detection has been found to be critical for decreasing the morbidity and mortality associated with oral cancer which is now as common as cervical cancer.

Few women go through a year without a screening for cervical cancer. Yet, few people are commonly screened for oral cancer, which has become as common as cervical cancer in women. Early detection is vital in cancer. Several advancements in treatment are now available related to the earlier stages of cancer that indicate how much a cancer has grown or spread.

In his continuing efforts to provide the most advanced technology and highest standard of care available, Dr. Maddahi, Beverly Hills dentist, has begun to include the ViziLite Plus exams as an integral part of the annual comprehensive oral screening program in his office. The ViziLite Plus exam can help the dentist or hygienist identify abnormal tissue that might develop into oral cancer.

Clinical studies have determined that using ViziLite Plus after the standard oral cancer exam improves the dentist’s ability to recognize and evaluate suspicious areas at their earliest stages. Early detection of pre-cancerous tissue can minimize or eliminate the potentially disfiguring effects of oral cancer and possibly save lives.

The mortality rate of oral cancer patients is surprisingly frequent one person dies each hour from this vicious illness. As with most other cancers, late detection is the primary cause of mortality. Tobacco use, of course, is a major predisposing risk factor, however 27% of oral cancer victims have no lifestyle risk factors.

The risk of developing this disease is highest in patients over forty who smoke. Also sexually active 18 to 39 year olds have an increased risk of contracting cancer caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV 16/18), a sexually transmitted disease.

Early detection of oral cancer is critical and will decrease the morbidity and mortality related to this disease.

Beverly Hills dentist, Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, specializes in creating beautiful, natural smiles and can be found on the world wide web at www.DrMaddahi.com, He is located in Beverly Hills at 436 N. Roxbury Drive, Suite 202 and can be reached at 310-888-7797. He can be contacted via email at info@DrMaddahi.com.