Oral Cancer Screening
& Oral CDx Diagnostics
Our office routinely performs an Oral Cancer Visual Screening not only at the initial patient dental visit/exam, but all Recare/recall and Periodic Exams/visits as well. Hopefully, any detected oral lesion (sore, red spot, white spot, ulceration, etc) will be a negative finding for pathology, there are lesions that may be pre-cancerous or cancerous. If a suspected area or lesion persists for more than 14 days upon re-examination, we generally suggest and perform a brush biopsy procedure using the Oral CDx diagnostic system.
Smoking, especially combined with heavy alcohol consumption (30 drinks a week or more), is the primary risk factor for oral cancer. In fact, this combination is estimated to be the most likely trigger in about 75 percent of oral cancers diagnosed in this country. Other lifestyle and environmental factors also may increase your risk of developing oral cancer.
The Oral CDx diagnostic protocol can now painlessly detect unhealthy cells years before they can cause any harm. OralCDx's oral brush biopsy allows dentists and other medical professionals to easily and painlessly test common, harmless-looking, unexplained red and white spots that may in fact be precancer or cancer.
Who should have an Identafi 3000 Pre-Oral Cancer Screening?
The American Cancer Society recommends that patients have a complete soft tissue examination (standard visual exam) at least once a year.
Identafi 3000 is used as part of an annual oral screening for patients at increased risk for oral cancer. Your dental professional may recommend a Identafi 3000 screening more frequently depending on your individual risk factors.
Oral Cancer Risk by Patient Profile:
Increased Risk:
Patients age 18-39 with no lifestyle risk factors
High Risk:
Patients age 40 and older with no risk factors OR patients age 18-39 with lifestyle risk factors
Highest Risk:
Patients age 40 and older with lifestyle risk factors or patients with a history of oral cancer
Risk Factores:
Lifestyle risk factors for oral cancer include:
- Tobacco use (any type, any age, within 10 years)
- Alcohol consumption of at least 1 drink per day (3 ounces of hard liquor, 4 ounces of wine, or 12 ounces of beer)
Other risk factors:
- Immune deficiencies such as HIV & AIDS
- Human Papilloma Virus, particularly HPV 16 and HPV 18.
