Prevent oral Cancer The Silent EPIDEMIC
Oral cancer is a devastating disease that affects millions worldwide, yet it remains one of the most preventable forms of cancer. More than 480,000 new cases of oral and throat cancers are diagnosed each year globally, with over 35,000 cases in the United States alone. This disease kills one person every hour in the U.S., making early detection and prevention absolutely critical.
In India, the situation is particularly alarming. Oral cancer is the third most common cancer in men, with high incidence rates and late-stage diagnosis being the norm. Unlike many other cancers, oral cancer develops slowly over years, giving us a crucial window of opportunity for prevention and early detection.
Why Prevention Matters More Than Ever
The Current Crisis
High mortality rates:
Approximately 80% of oral cancer cases are detected at stages 3 and 4, leading to costly treatments and higher mortality rates
Economic devastation:
Late-stage oral cancer treatment is 5-10 times more expensive than early detection, straining healthcare budgets
Limited screening:
No organized public screening programs exist for oral cancer, and awareness remains low
Missed opportunities:
11.1% of oral lesions are missed under white light examination, leading to delayed diagnosis
The Prevention Opportunity
When detected early, oral cancer has a survival rate of 80-90%. Early-stage cancer treatment is 10 times cheaper than late-stage care, making prevention not just a health imperative but an economic necessity.
Understanding Risk Factors
Primary Risk Factors
Tobacco use: Smoking tobacco is the number one risk factor for oral cancer, with smokers having a 5-10 times higher chance of dying from oral cancer
Excessive alcohol consumption: Heavy alcohol use multiplies cancer risk by 30 times when combined with tobacco
HPV infection: Human papillomavirus, particularly HPV16, is strongly associated with oropharyngeal cancers
Poor oral hygiene: Neglecting dental care increases risk significantly
Secondary Risk Factors
Age and gender: Men over 50 are at highest risk, though cases in women are increasing due to HPV connection
Excessive sun exposure: Particularly for lip cancers
Genetic predisposition: Family history of oral or other cancers
Diet: Poor nutrition and lack of fruits and vegetables
Advanced Screening Technology:
DNA Ploidy Testing Revolutionary Accuracy
Traditional screening methods often fall short:
- Visual examination: Misses 11.1% of lesions under white light
- Conventional methods: Limited sensitivity and specificity
DNA Ploidy testing offers breakthrough accuracy:
- 98% sensitivity and 100% specificity
- Detects cancer up to 2 years before conventional methods
- Non-invasive brush collection: Painless and widely accepted
VELscope Vx:
See What’s Invisible
DETECT ORAL CANCER EARLY WITH VELSCOPE Vx: Visualize LESIONS DEVELOPING IN THE STROMA BENEATH THE MUCOSA invisible to naked eye
EARLY LESIONS DEVELOPING IN THE STROMA ARE NOT VISIBLE UNDER WHITE LIGHT
11.1% oral lesion are missed under white light
Undetectable by the unassisted eye
Detect lesions developing under the mucosa, enabling early detection of oral cancer
In the presence of dysplasia or tumors, the collagen matrix breaks down, leading to a decrease in fluorescence and it appears dark.
ELIMINATE ORAL BIOPSY SAMPLING ERRORS: ESSENTIAL FOR ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS AND EFFECTIVE TREATMENT PLANNING
PRECISE BIOPSY SITES ARE CHALLENGING TO IDENTIFY UNDER WHITE LIGHT
60% Discordance due to sampling errors
The extensive area of leukoplakia under white light makes identifying the exact biopsy site challenging.
fluorescence visualization helps in identifying appropriate sites for biopsy
Biopsy Discordance rate goes to zero
Loss of fluorescence highlights areas of concern (two distinct dark regions as observed under VELscope).
Biopsy of these areas revealed moderate dysplasia.
PRECISION SURGERY WITH VELSCOPE Vx:
REDUCING ORAL CANCER RECURRENCE BY UP TO 90%
Initial assessment of an ill-defined SCC on the right ventrolateral tongue under white light.
Assessment of field using FV in the dark.
Clinically apparent tumor outlined in blue.
FVL area outlined in green, with the boundary of the surgical specimen marked in red.
MONITORING TREATMENT SITES WITH VELSCOPE AND DNA PLOIDY: EARLY DETECTION OF RECURRENT ORAL CANCER
Image A: White-light image of a well-healed scar from squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) on the left lateral tongue.
Image B: The anterior aspect of the same scar under fluorescence visualization, showing a dark brown area of fluorescence loss.
Image C: Follow-up after 12 months, with the same area exhibiting a persistent and enlarged loss of fluorescence. After 20 months, a biopsy from the region of fluorescence loss was diagnosed as carcinoma in situ.
ACCURATE VISUALIZATION & EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION FOR PERSONALIZE INFECTION TREATMENT
White Light Examination
Under VELscope
Bacterial infections appear red
Yeast infections appear yellow/orang
Porphyrins, byproducts of bacterial metabolism, absorb the VELscope’s blue light and re-emit it as red autofluorescence.
Yeast cells contain molecules that fluoresce yellow or yellow-orange under VELscope
Early Detection Saves Lives and Money
Financial Impact of Early Detection
Stage 1 treatment: Approximately $1,000
Stage 4 treatment: Over $12,000
Early intervention: Reduces hospitalization and extensive treatment needs
Treatment Outcomes by Stage
Pre-cancer/Stage 1:
Over 90% survival rate
Stage 2: 85% survival rate
Stage 3: 68% survival rate
Stage 4: 42% survival rate
Oral cancer prevention is not just possible—it’s essential. With advanced screening technologies like DNA Ploidy testing and VELscope visualization, over 90% of cases can be detected at pre-cancer or Stage 1, when treatment is most effective and affordable.
The choice is clear: We can continue to lose lives to a preventable disease, or we can take action now to save lives, reduce suffering, and protect families from devastating health and financial consequences.