The same virus that causes cervical cancer, Human Papilloma Virus, is NOW the leading cause of oral cancer, per the CDC. Effecting both men and women. In most cases, oral HPV related changes are generally not detected until it has progressed to a late stage.
Often generally referred to "oral cancer", oral and oropharyngeal cancers are any cancer that forms in the mouth, lips, cheeks, gums, tongue, hard palate, tonsils and throat.
In many cases, oral or oropharyngeal cancers are not diagnosed until they present themselves in an advanced stage, or have metastasized to another part of the body such as the lymph nodes of the neck. In fact, the 5-year survival rate is just over 50%.
If discovered early, the 5-year survival rate increases to over 80%. This year, nearly 54,000 people will be diagnosed with oral or oropharyngeal cancers in USA. Early detection is the key.
The VELscope® Vx scope is used by the practitioner to emit specific wavelengths of blue-spectrum light into a patient's mouth and upper throat. In many cases, they can identify structural and/or chemical abnormalities that would have gone unnoticed by the naked eye.
An oral cancer screening is precautionary, not diagnostic. It's imperative to keep up with dental and dental hygiene appointments, especially if you have risk factors for developing oral cancer.