When you think of oral cancer, what comes to mind? Most likely, a nasty wad of chewing tobacco. If you don’t use that stuff, you don’t have to worry about oral cancer, right?
Wrong. Although the use of tobacco and alcohol are risk factors in developing oral cancer, experts say approximately 25 percent of oral cancer patients have no known risk factors.
Researchers now think that some oral cancers may be associated with two strains of the human papilloma virus, or HPV. A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that rates of HPV-related oral cancers nearly doubled from 1973 through 2004. Experts believe that this rise in the disease may be linked to changing sexual practices, including an increase in oral sex.
In the 17 years she’s been caring for patients, Kristin Stookey, CRNP, associate medical director for Planned Parenthood, says she’s noticed an increase in the number of clients who include oral sex in describing their sexual history. “To stay a virgin” is one reason teens give to forego intercourse in favor of oral sex, she says. Many people mistakenly consider it to be risk-free.
The American Dental Association recommends an examination of the entire mouth to detect cancerous and pre-cancerous conditions as part of a regular dental checkup. This examination should include head and neck checks for lumps, panoramic x-rays and a complete inspection of the tongue and gums.
A new tool to help detect abnormalities in gum tissue may soon become part of the arsenal to detect oral cancer, and already is being used by a few dentists in the Valley. The VELscope looks like a skinny white showerhead that shines a blue light on gum tissue. “If there are any abnormalities in the tissue, they turn a dark maroon color,” says Patty Bisig, R.N.
Bisig, who works with Scottsdale dentist Kathi Mansell, DMD, says the procedure takes about two minutes and is pain-free. If suspicious lesions are found, Mansell refers patients to an oral surgeon for further evaluation. The cost of a VELscope exam ranges from $35 to $50.
When detected early, the survival rate for oral cancer is very high. But oral cancer can be horribly disfiguring, says Bisig. “There are great plastic surgeons out there, but if you have to cut muscles and ligaments [on the face], it is hard to fill it in.”
When not discovered early, oral cancer can be deadly. According to the American Dental Association, oral cancers claim more lives than cervical cancer.
Three Valley dentists who use the VELscope
Kathi Mansell, DMD
480-948-1255 • kmansell.com
Sheila Naik, DDS
623-566-8011 • desertskydentistry.com
Ginger Price, DDS
602-468-1135 • gingerpricedds.com