Herald Square Dental encourages prevention by participating in Oral Cancer Awareness Month.
Herald Square Dental encourages prevention by participating in Oral Cancer Awareness Month.
Roughly 42,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer this year. It will cause over 8,000 deaths, killing about one person an hour, 24 hours a day, according to the Oral Cancer Foundation. Of those 42,000 newly diagnosed individuals, only slightly more than half will be alive in five years (Approximately 57 percent). This is a number which has not significantly improved in decades. Worldwide, the problem is much greater, with over 640,000 new cases being found each year. It is more likely to be prevented and thus cured if discovered in its precancerous or dysplastic stage.
At Herald Square Dental and The Denture Center, they feel strongly about prevention. They have been performing advanced oral cancer screenings using the Velscope for years. They have joined in the Oral Cancer Foundation Awareness Campaign and will be offering free oral cancer screenings on April 24, 2013 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. As part of the Oral Cancer Foundation campaign, Herald Square is offering a 50% reduction of the cost off the regular $78 fee for oral cancer screening throughout the entire month of April and donating half of the proceeds from the screening to the Oral Cancer Foundation.
Early detection of cancer is important because it provides a greater chance that treatment will be successful. Often oral cancer remains undetected and is only discovered once metastasized to a secondary site or worse.
Since 2006, Herald Square Dental has been using the Velscope to screen for dysplastic and abnormal changes in the mucosa and oral tissues. The Velscope is the most powerful tool available for assisting in the discovery of oral abnormalities. Because the Velscope assists in early detection, cancer can be caught before it has time to spread, potentially saving lives through less invasive, more effective treatment. Using the Velscope, a wide variety of oral abnormalities can be discovered — often before they're visible to the unassisted eye, which automatically increases the chances of cancer eradication before further complications. In other words, a yearly the Velscope exam saves lives.
Oral cancer can also be linked to human papilloma virus (HPV). One of the most common virus groups in the world today affecting the skin and mucosal areas of the body is the HPV. HPV transmission can be quite simple with just skin to skin contact transferring the virus. Although there are many different forms of HPV’s and transmissions, only some are currently known to cause cancer, including oral cancer. However, investigative research continues for facts on the other forms. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, the HPV positive group of oral cancer diagnosed is the fastest growing segment of the oral cancer population.
The use of tobacco, in various forms, and excess alcohol intake (3 ounces or more a day), increases the risk of cancer. However, many oral cancer victims have never smoked and rarely drink. This is yet another reason for a screening with a Velscope. High exposure to ultraviolet light and poor diet also increases the risk of developing cancer of the lower lip. Inadequate levels of vitamins A and C, and a diet low in vegetables and fruits may also contribute to the chances of developing oral cancer.
Some of the advanced symptoms that should not go ignored are non-healing sores, growths, or patches on oral tissues, gums or tongue. To aid in preventing oral cancer, or to assure early discovery of abnormal tissue, patients should visit their dentist every six months for a routine checkup and oral cancer screening and insist on an adjunctive oral cancer screening using the Velscope a minimum of once per year.
For more information about Oral Cancer or the Oral Cancer Foundation, please visithttp://www.oralcancerfoundation.org.
About the company:
Herald Square Dental and The Denture Center is a full-service dental office offering everything from porcelain veneers and orthodontic care, including Invisalign to implants that replace missing teeth entirely. They are also well known for quality dentures custom fabricated right on the premises. Conveniently located in Herald Square in the heart of New York City, Herald Square Dental and The Denture Center has been known as New York’s place for quality cosmetic dental care and same-day dentures since 1977.They are equipped with all the technology and comfort to optimally restore beautiful smiles successfully, affordably, quickly and conveniently. Dr.’s Pasch, Yam, Shirzadnia and Song and their friendly staff are highly-trained in fixing chipped, cracked or stained teeth with lovely new veneers. At Herald Square Dental and The Denture Center, they offer a wide range of affordable dental makeover options, including natural-looking porcelain crowns, tooth bonding and tooth-colored composite fillings.
Herald Square Dental and The Denture Center is a full-service dental office offering everything from porcelain veneers and orthodontic care, including Invisalign to implants that replace missing teeth entirely. They are also well known for quality dentures custom fabricated right on the premises. Conveniently located in Herald Square in the heart of New York City, Herald Square Dental and The Denture Center has been known as New York’s place for quality cosmetic dental care and same-day dentures since 1977.They are equipped with all the technology and comfort to optimally restore beautiful smiles successfully, affordably, quickly and conveniently. Dr.’s Pasch, Yam, Shirzadnia and Song and their friendly staff are highly-trained in fixing chipped, cracked or stained teeth with lovely new veneers. At Herald Square Dental and The Denture Center, they offer a wide range of affordable dental makeover options, including natural-looking porcelain crowns, tooth bonding and tooth-colored composite fillings.
