Vizilite Plus is used for the early detection of oral cancer, a type of cancer that virtually everyone is at risk for. Patients aged 18-39 without lifestyle risk factors (tobacco use, chronic alcohol use of at least two ounces of alcohol three times per week, and HPV) who are sexually active are at increased risk of developing oral cancer. High risk patients include those 40 and older without lifestyle risk factors and tobacco users (any age). Those who have the highest risk for developing oral cancer include patients age 40 and older with lifestyle risk factors and patients with a history of oral cancer. Oral cancer is on the rise, as the American Cancer Society estimates a 5.5% increase in new cases of oral cancer and a 1.5% increase in deaths associated with oral cancer (one American dies every hour from oral cancer. The reason being sexually active can put you at risk is that HPV (human papilloma virus) is a very common sexually transmitted infection and especially prevelant in young adults. HPV has been known to cause cervical cancer and new studies suggest that it also plays a role in more than 20% of oral cancer cases.

The good news is that, if detected in it's early stages, oral cancer is one of the most curable diseases. An annual ViziLite Plus exam, in combination with a conventional visual examination, has proven successful in identifying precancerous and cancerous abnormalities. When premalignant lesions or early stage oral cancer is found, treatment is simpler, less invasive, and has a more than 90% success rate. Vizilite Plus is a specially designed light technology that improves the examiner's ability to identify, evaluate, and monitor abnormal areas that are difficult to see under conventional lighting. The screening process using ViziLite Plus is quick and painless, and involves rinsing with a cleansing solution, having a dental professional examine your mouth using ViziLite, and, if a suspicious lesion is detected, having it marked it with a blue dye and documented.

Early detection is the key to reducing the devastating impact of oral cancer, so why not choose to have a ViziLite Plus exam today.