Oral Cancer Screening
What you need to know about oral cancer
Dr. Oppenlander has included an oral cancer screening in all preventive appointments since he began practicing dentistry. Although some think this is a rare cancer, mouth cancer will be newly diagnosed in about 100 new individuals each day in the US alone, and a person dies from oral cancer every hour of every day. When found and treated in early stages, treatment can be successful 82% of the time. Among the other diagnostic procedures Dr. Oppenlander uses the ViziLite Plus System during routine head and neck examinations.
This system offers a brief and painless exam to improve the ability to identify abnormalities in the mouth that could be cancerous. The stage at which oral cancer is diagnosed is critical to the course of the disease. When detected at its earliest stage, oral cancer is more easily treated and cured, and is another reason maintaining a regular preventive program is so important to your overall health.
Risk Factors:
Increased Risk
- Patients age 40 and older (95% of all cases)
- 18-39 years of age combined with the following
- Tobacco Use
- Chronic Alcohol Consumption
- Oral HPV Infection
Highest Risk
- Patients age 65 and older with lifestyle risk factors
- Patients with history of oral cancer
25% of oral cancers occur in people who don't smoke and have no other risk factors
Oral Cancer and HPV:
The typical risk factors for oral cancer, such as tobacco use and chronic alcohol consumption may be commonly known, however, a new risk factor called HPV is now changing the face of oral cancer. HPV has long been known to cause cervical cancer in women and recent studies show that if may play a role in more than 25% of oral cancer cases. The human papilloma virus is a common sexually transmitted virus that is thought to be causing oral cancer in an increasingly younger patient population. Few people, if any, even know they have it.
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"I have always believed that my dental care provided by Dr. oppenlander has been first rate. I have been a patient of his for many years. The new tools you are using to illustrate my dental care are interesting and informative. I have always appreciated the doctor's light touch and will continue to look forward to more years of excellent dental care." |
Cosmetic/Restorative Dentist - Kalamazoo/ Portage
8191 Moorsbridge Road, Suite C
Portage , MI 49024
(269) 327-9332
