A tiny light stick called ViziLite Plus could help prevent 90 percent of all fatalities from oral cancer, according to Joel S. Miller, DMD, MAGD of the Miller Studio for Dental Artistry, who recommends that all adults ask their dentist for the procedure.
Dr. Joel Miller believes that the oral screening procedure including this new product will be as common as the tests for cervical and prostate cancers that are now routine elements of patients’ regular diagnostic screening.
“Oral cancer is on the rise, with one American dying every hour from the disease, but when detected early, oral cancer is 90 percent curable,” said Miller. “The ViziLite Plus, used along with head and neck exams, can help dentists detect abnormal lesions much earlier, possibly preventing disfiguring surgical procedures.” Dr. Miller has found 25 malignant oral cancers in his dental career.
The procedure is easy, painless and usually takes about two or three minutes. ViziLite is a small disposable, fluorescent light stick. After the patient rinses for about 30 seconds with a raspberry vinaigrette flavored solution, the doctor shines the ViziLite inside the patient’s mouth to examine the tongue, lips, floor and roof of the mouth and inner cheeks. Cancerous tissue looks white under ViziLite, while normal tissue looks dark.
Though smokers and tobacco users are particularly vulnerable to oral cancer and would especially benefit from ViziLite, 27 percent of oral cancers occur in people who don’t smoke and have no other risk factors. “This underscores the importance of early screening.”
The lack of early detection is the reason the incidence of oral cancer has increased by 5.5 percent and the death rate has increased by 1.5 percent, according to the American Cancer Society.
“We believe the cost of the procedure, typically about $65, is a small price to pay to detect oral cancer before it’s too late, or for the peace of mind when you discover there’s no problem and you get a clean bill of oral health,” said Miller.
For more information about Vizilite or Dr. Joel Miller, please visit www.valenciasmiles.com or call 661-257-5858.