Detecting HPV with Velscope in our Riverside Biological Dental Office:
Posted February 28, 2011 in HomeDetecting HPV with Velscope in our Riverside Biological Dental Office:
As I was listening to our local news here in Southern California, frightening news of an increase of head and neck cancer was reported. The culprit….the Human Papilloma Virus better known as HPV. This virus is seemingly silent in men who carry it, however women who are infected with this virus are at a high risk for cervical cancer. In the past decade, a new vaccine has come out in hopes of protecting children, women and men from this virus that is known to cause a variety of cancers. However, with vaccines extremely controversial, I recommend that everyone become their own advocate in making the decision to vaccinate or not to vaccinate. My hopes with discussing HPV is to inform all individuals of the importance of the oral cancer screening.
Here at my Riverside Biological and Cosmetic Dental office, we have researched the best in technology used for detecting oral cancer. The Velscope uses technology utilizing a fluorescent blue light to detect abnormal tissue in the mouth. Simply, tissue that is normal illuminates “blue/green” where abnormal tissue is visibly “black.” When an area in the mouth is questionable, I recommend a biopsy to rule out any oral cancer. I highly recommend that the Velscope is used on all patients twice yearly to monitor the tissue in the mouth.
Here are a few interesting facts on HPV and how it relates to Head and Neck Cancer:
HPV is now associated with oral cancers predominately at the base of tongue and tonsils
Most men and women who have don’t even know they have it
A new study on HPV revealed that 50% men infected with HPV do not know they have it
HPV is commonly known for causing cervical cancer in women
20 million Americans have HPV
HPV typically clears up on its own
32,000 infections of HPV a year develop into cancer
Please visit my Riverside Biological and Cosmetic Dental office for your comprehensive oral cancer exam using the Velscope technology. We are located just off of the 91-freeway and Riverside, please call us at (951)686-3666.