Maintain Your Health with a Routine Oral Cancer Screening

To help maintain a healthy smile, it is important to receive an oral cancer screening at least biannually. Detecting oral cancer in its earliest stages is vital to preserving your oral health and overall wellbeing. As oral cancer is often undetectable to the unaided eye, Dr. Victor Siegel incorporates advanced VELscope® technology to accurately diagnose cancerous lesions. Using this device, we can detect abnormalities and recommend effective treatment for patients in Rockville, MD. When identified and treated early, patients have an 80 to 90 percent survival rate.

Causes and Early Prevention

There are several factors that may increase your risk of developing oral cancer, including:

  • Age: The risk of  oral cancer increases in people over 40.
  • Gender: Oral cancer is more common in men than in women.
  • Sun exposure: Cancer of the lip can be caused by harmful UV rays. People who work primarily outdoors have a higher risk factor for oral cancer.
  • Diet: Poor nutrition can contribute to an increased risk of oral cancer. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables is recommended.
  • Tobacco use: The use of tobacco products is one of the most common factors that contribute to oral cancer.
  • Alcohol use: The risk of oral cancer increases in people who regularly use tobacco in conjunction with alcohol.

According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, only 57 percent of patients newly diagnosed with oral cancer live more than five years. This is largely due to the lack of early prevention. As early detection is key to treatment, Dr. Siegel uses the latest technology to identify cancerous cells before they become life-threatening.

What to Expect

During your appointment, Dr. Siegel can perform a visual inspection of your mouth, neck, throat, and head. He can then palpate along your face and jaw to detect lumps or other abnormalities. Next, Dr. Siegel can use our VELscope Vx Enhanced Oral Assessment System. This special device shines a blue light onto the soft and hard tissues in your mouth. Blue spectrum lighting immediately reveals problematic areas that cannot be seen with the naked eye.

Dr. Victor Siegel incorporates advanced VELscope technology to diagnose cancerous lesions.

If Dr. Siegel discovers any abnormalities, he may perform a brush test, which can be submitted to a pathology lab for analysis. If pre-cancerous cells are found, we may recommend that the area of concern be surgically removed.

image of VELscope
Using a VELscope, we can detect abnormalities that may not be visible to the eye, helping to protect your overall health.

Prevention and Self-Assessment

As it is important to detect cancerous cells as early as possible, you should perform regular self-assessments and look for signs such as:

Sores in the mouth
These can appear as white or red in color, and can present on the gums, lips, tongue, cheek, or roof of the mouth.
Change in color
If you notice distinct color changes in the oral tissues, it could be a warning sign, especially if you do not recall experiencing any trauma to the area.
Difficulty swallowing, chewing, or speaking
If you experience any problems performing daily activities, you should contact us immediately.

During your routine checkup, we can review important symptoms to be aware of and demonstrate the proper way of performing a self-assessment.

Schedule Your Routine Oral Cancer Screening

Even if you do not notice any areas of concern, you should schedule a preventive screening twice per year to ensure your health.  Contact us online or call us at (301) 963-4330 to schedule your oral cancer screening.

Victor R. Siegel, DDS logo

Victor R. Siegel, DDS

Dr. Victor R. Siegel and Dr. Aviva Kramer provide compassionate dental care in a relaxed and friendly environment. Our state-of-the-art practice is proud to be affiliated with:

  • American Dental Association
  • American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
  • American College of Dentists
  • International College of Dentists

Comfort is one of our top priorities, so we offer sedation dentistry to help patients feel relaxed during their treatments. To schedule an appointment at our Rockville, MD, officecontact us online or call (301) 963-4330 today.

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