Recently, Science Daily posted an article with updates on advancements in oral cancer research.  According to the article, early detection could save upwards of 40,000 people daily.  Below is an excerpt of this groundbreaking news:

“Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine researchers discovered a biomarker, called human beta defensin-3 (hBD-3), which may serve as an early warning. The defensin is present in all oral cancers and associated with the early stages of oral cancer.

‘Using the biomarker to detect oral cancer holds potential for saving lives when the cancer is most curable. Annually some 10,000 people die from this cancer,’ said Ge Jin, assistant professor of biological sciences at the dental school.

He led the study, which appears in the online journal PLoS ONE, published by the Public Library of Science.

Oral cancer first appears as white or red lesions in the mouth, the same as noncancerous lesions.

Often, the lesions are not biopsied, and cancer is not discovered until it becomes apparent in its later stages, when it has metastasized to other organs. Such a late-stage diagnosis is generally fatal and can result in costly surgeries and treatments or disfigurement that may include removing parts of the tongue, jaw and cheek. All this can be avoided with early removal of the lesion.”

Click here for the complete Science Daily article regarding the role of hBDs in oral health and the potential of using this biomarker to detect oral cancer early.

Recently, we had a Twitter follower ask us what the latest methods of detecting oral cancer are. With Twitter’s allowances of only 140 characters to answer the question, we decided to post a blog that gives a more in depth look at the state of oral cancer detection devices.

The main oral cancer detection devices that are on the market today are:

1. Brush biopsy – “The OralCDx® BrushTest®is an easy, painless and definitive way for dentists to test the common small white and red oral spots that most people have in their mouth at one time or another. The BrushTest is used to determine if a common oral spot contains abnormal cells (known as dysplasia) that, if left alone for several years, may develop into oral cancer.”
2. ViziLite Plus, MicroLux DL – A light technology that “in combination with a regular visual examination, provides a comprehensive oral screening procedure for patients at increased risk for oral cancer.”
3. Velscope - “The ‘white light’ exam. The VELscope exam is actually the second step in a comprehensive oral cancer exam. The first step is a conventional ‘white light’ exam in which the dentist or hygienist looks for lesions in the oral cavity with the naked eye and uses palpation to feel for any bumps in the neck or face.”
4. Trimira OCS 3000 – Trimira’s®, new Identafi® 3000 ultra uses the Identafi® Multi-Spectral Fluorescence and Reflectance technology to enhance visualization of mucosal abnormalities such as oral cancer or premalignant dysplasia that may not be apparent to the naked eye. But unlike other fluorescence technologies and dye systems, the Identafi® 3000 ultra is Multi-Spectral with three distinct color wavelengths, making it easier to distinguish lesion morphology and vasculature thereby reducing false positives.

The oral cancer detection devices mentioned above are only tools for screening and are not designed to diagnose oral cancer. They result false negatives if not used appropriately.  The ideal screening is a conventional visual oral tactile exam at the dental office first.

Visiting a pathologist in suspicious cases is highly recommended.  A second opinion can save you a lifetime. Do not wait and watch the cancer grow in your mouth.

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Together we fight oral cancer. Together we save a life every hour.

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Knowing is half the battle and knowing early gives you a better chance at victory!  At your next dental appointment ask your dentist for an oral cancer exam.  Many dentists are making this a routine part of every dental examination, so you’ll want to make sure that you are receiving this service with each dental examination.

For those that have not had an oral cancer exam recently, there is also an oral cancer quiz that you can take that might shed some light on the situation.  According to Medical News Today:

Having regular dental exams is the most important step, but knowing what to look for between check-ups is also critical.

Cigna Healthcare provides a short quiz that will test your knowledge on oral cancer.  Click here to view the oral cancer quiz.

Knowing is half the battle.

“Together we fight oral cancer. Together we save a life every hour.“

The focus of this article is the Identafi technology and its effectiveness for finding oral cancers. Recently, a free oral cancer screening was held at Saratoga Race Course in Houston. Using the technology they were able to find a case of oral cancer.

“You have a lot of people who come from all over the country, especially to Saratoga,
who haven’t been to a dentist,” Dr. Robert Trager said. “Even the ones who have been
to a dentist still don’t realize what oral cancer is and how deadly the threat can be.”

As with all cancer, early detection is a key point of survival.  New technology like the Identafi makes early detection even more likely.  For dentists looking for a new piece of technology to benefit their patients, please click on the icon to the lift for the complete article.

For those of you who enjoy case studies and learning how those in the medical field are coming to conclusions regarding early detection of oral cancer, below is an article with a medical case study. On page 4, the article states:

Increasing need for additional non-invasive tests to augment conventional white light
oral examination has driven the development of various real-time light-induced
fluorescence visualization devices for detection and delineation of potentially
malignant oral lesions.

“Together we fight oral cancer. Together we save a life every hour.”  – The Fight Oral Cancer Foundation

In an effort to continue to provide up to date information on what is going on in the fight against oral cancer, below is an article written by By Mark Nichols, DDS. Mark Nichols is the Vice President of Clinical Affairs for Bering Omega Dental Clinic.  Bering Omega is the only clinic that is dedicated (and free) to HIV/AIDS patience.  Their work is truly remarkable.

Working in with high risk patients means that for them to have the best screening equipment when patients arrive with lesions is critical to early detection.  This article discusses the type of screening equipment they are using to enable early detection.

Click on the icon below for the complete article on the Optical Exam.

“Together we fight oral cancer. Together we save a life every hour.”  – The Fight Oral Cancer Foundation