 |
 |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Importance of Early Detection
Early detection is the key to reducing the devastating impact of oral cancer on victims and their families. Annual oral cancer screening of patients at increased risk for oral cancer, patients age 18 and older, and tobacco users of any age, is the only way to achieve the early detection of oral cancer necessary to reduce the death rate of oral cancer – a death rate that has remained unchanged for more than 40 years!
The chart below shows how the death rates of other types of cancers have dropped with routine visual/manual screening examninations followed by annual examinations with an adjuctive screening technology. As you can see, when patients at increased risk for breast cancer, prostate cancer and cervical cancer began receiving annual screenings with the mammogram, PSA test and Pap smear, respectively, there was a significant decline in the death rates due to these cancers.
| |
Screening Technology & Year Introduced |
Decrease in Death Rates |
For the Period |
| Breast Cancer |
Mammogram - 1972 |
45%a |
1972-1992 |
| Prostate Cancer |
PSA Test - 1986 |
17.6%b |
1993-2002 |
| Cervical Cancer |
Pap Smear - 1952 |
70%-80%c |
1950-1990 |
| Oral Cancer |
ViziLite Plus - 2002 |
to be assessed |
|
- American Cancer Society
- Canadian Medical Association CMAJ March 5, 2002:166 (5)
- American Society of Clinical Pathology, ASCP.org 6-27-03
.gif)
|
|
|
 |
|
