Heading Off Oral Cancer - Local Dentist Offers New Pain-Free ViziLite Plus Exam to Help Detect Oral Cancer

Kalamazoo, MI, April 28, 2008 --(PR.com)-- One American dies every hour from oral cancer. It's actually one of the deadliest forms of cancer when detected at a late stage. The five-year survival rate is only 21% for oral cancer that is detected at its latest stage, but the survival rate soars to 81% when it's found at an early localized stage*. Detecting pre-cancerous conditions could minimize concern. Is there a special technology to make that possible? "Yes," says a local dentist.

"With oral cancer, early detection is the key," says Dr. Steven Ray, DMD of Steven Ray, DMD and William Wright, DDS in Kalamazoo. "That's why I now offer my patients an annual ViziLite Plus oral cancer screening exam. Using a special light cleared by the FDA, the exam takes only minutes and is entirely non-invasive and pain-free."

ViziLite Plus with TBlue630 assists in the early detection of oral abnormalities, including premalignant lesions and oral cancer. The technology improves the dentist's ability to identify, evaluate and monitor lesions that are difficult to see under the conventional lighting. This quick and painless exam aids dentists in being the first line of defense in fighting this deadly disease. If a suspicious lesion is detected, the dental professional will apply a special dye, called TBlue630 to mark the lesion to aid in the clinical evaluation.

Dr. Ray notes, "For cervical, prostate and breast cancer, we've gotten used to annual screening exams - Pap smears, PSA tests and mammograms - each of which has greatly reduced death rates. In a similar fashion, ViziLite Plus exams could help reduce the deaths and disfigurement that can result from oral cancer. Dentists today are concerned with much more than cavities; we're focused on total wellness, as indicated by conditions in the mouth."

While most cases of oral cancer are associated with smoking and alcohol, one-quarter of all cases affect people with no risk behaviors.** "There is growing evidence that HPV (human papillomavirus), a sexually transmitted virus that has long been associated with cervical cancer, is associated in nearly 10% of oral cancer cases in both men and women," said Dr. Ray. "Public health experts think this may account for the growing number of oral cancers in younger people. The bottom line for everyone: See your dentist; it may save your life."***+

Every adult and especially those age 40 and older (the group in which most oral cancer is diagnosed) should have a conventional exam every time they go to the dentist and a ViziLite Plus exam annually.

For more information on oral cancer, visit www.OralCancerFoundation.org/

Dr. Steven Ray, DMD is a general dentist in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He practices along with Dr. William Wright, DDS and offers treatments ranging from routine professional cleanings to bonded (tooth-colored) fillings and crowns, Invisalign orthodontics, and implant and cosmetic services. The office is located at 1850 Whites Road Suite 7, Kalamzoo, MI 49008. They can be contacted at (269) 342-5321 or online at: http://www.kalamazoofamilydentistry.com/

*ACS Cancer Facts & Figures 2006
** Lifestyle risk factors are defined as tobacco use, chronic alcohol use of at least two ounces of alcohol three times per week, and HIV/HPV
*** 2006 SEER data
+Herrero R et al., for the IARC Multicenter Oral Cancer Study Group. Human papillomavirus and oral cancer: the International Agency for Research on Cancer multicenter study. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2003; 95(23): 1772-83.

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