Ronald Hawk DDS Cosmetic Dentistry in Boca Raton, FL

Oral Cancer ScreeningVizilite Plus for Life-Saving Early Detection of Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is one of the most curable diseases when it's caught early. That's why the ViziLite Plus exam has been developed. ViziLite Plus uses technology that has proven successful in identifying soft tissue abnormalities in other areas of the body. A ViziLite Plus exam is particularly important if you are at increased risk for developing oral cancer, although 25% or oral cancer victims do not use tobacco or have any other lifestyle risk factors. That's why Dr. Hawk recommends the ViziLite Plus exam to all of his patients.

The Vizilite Plus exam is quick and pain free

The ViziLite Plus exam can help Dr. Hawk identify abnormal tissue that might develop into oral cancer. An annual ViziLite Plus exam, in combination with a regular visual examination, provides a comprehensive oral screening procedure for patients at increased risk for oral cancer. The ViziLite Plus exam is painless and fast, and could help save your life. It can be performed in conjunction with your next dental hygiene visit. 

Should you choose to have the exam, you will be asked to rinse your mouth with a special cleansing solution. Then, the overhead lighting will be dimmed for better visibility. Dr. Hawk will then carefully examine your mouth for signs of abnormal tissue using the ViziLite Plus light. As ViziLite Plus passes over oral tissue that has been treated with the rinse solution, normal healthy tissue will absorb the light and appear dark; abnormal tissue will appear white. That's all there is to it!

The Deadly Statistics

  • Every hour of every day, one American dies of oral cancer
  • The mortality rate associated with oral cancer has not improved significantly in the last 40 years
  • The death rate in the United States for oral cancer is higher than that of cervical cancer, Hodgkin's disease, cancer of the brain, liver, testes, kidney, or ovary
  • More than 30,000 Americans will receive an oral cancer diagnosis this year. In five years, only 57% will still be alive
  • 25% of oral cancer victims do not use tobacco or alcohol and have no other lifestyle risk factors

Oral cancer is far too often discovered in late stage development, the primary reason for the consistently high death rate. Oral cancer treatment often results in disfiguring effects on patients, and can seriously compromise their quality of life. Early detection and diagnosis can make a tremendous difference in life expectancy; oral cancer is 90% curable when found in its early stages. Unfortunately, 70% of oral cancers are diagnosed in the late stages, III and IV, leading to a five-year survival rate of 57%.

Famous Victims of Oral Cancer

You may be surprised at how many actors, musicians, sports figures and other famous people have been diagnosed with oral cancer.

  • Michael Douglas
  • Babe Ruth
  • Sigmund Freud
  • Sammy Davis, Jr.
  • Humphrey Bogart
  • Bill Blass
  • Alan King
  • Bruce Paltrow
  • John Gotti
  • George Harrison
  • Rod Stewart
  • Eddie Van Halen
  • Roger Ebert
  • Lana Turner
  • Jack Klugman
  • Aaron Spelling
  • Burl Ives
  • Mary Wells

 

ViziLite Plus - Better screening saves lives