NEW YORK CITY--One American dies every hour of every day from "the shadow behind your smile"--oral cancer.
This is according to dentist Dr. Gerald P. Curatola, an NYU professor, speaker, author, and expert in rejuvenation dentistry.
Dr. Curatola, is slated to appear on the Dr. Oz Show April 19, 2010, to demonstrate Houston-based Trimira's Identafi 3000 ultra dental device on a member of the TV studio audience.
He said April 8, 2010, in his FOXNews.com health blog that oral cancer has become one of the most deadly cancers. More than 35,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer this year. Only a bit more than half will be alive in five years.
Identafi 3000 ultra is an oral cancer detection device.
The oral cancer number is one that has not significantly improved in decades. In fact, this is the fourth year in a row in which there has been an increase in the rate of occurrence of oral cancers. In 2007, the rate spiked by 11%.
Noting the recent change in the oral cancer demographic from the traditional one of smokers and drinkers, Dr. Curatola said "a new cause has shifted the focus to much younger people with no other risk factors."
He said: "Exposure to HPV-16 and HPV-18 virus (human papiloma virus) transmitted by oral sex has become a major concern."
HPV-16 and -18 are the same viruses responsible for a majority of cervical cancers.
Dr. Curatola called oral cancer "the cancer you can catch."
Citing the five times increase in the occurrence of oral cancer in those under the age of 40, Dr. Curatola observed that annual oral cancer screenings are recommended for patients over the age of 17. Early screening boosts the survival rate to 90%.
Among the good news that Dr. Curatola cited are "technological advances in devices for the early detection of oral cancer." New technology makes it easier to find abnormalities, and precancerous and cancerous lesions before they are observable to the naked eye.
He described Identafi 3000 ultra as featuring "a multispectral technology using three different light wavelengths." Identafi 3000 ultra is, he said, "highly portable, hand-held battery-operated instrument that emits a powerful white, violet, and green/amber light that excites the oral tissues in distinct ways to uncover ... a deadly lesion lurking in the mouth."
Dr. Curatola noted that many dentists "are still not using the assistance of an early detection device, whilch improves the patient's survival rate dramatically."
For more information, visit Dr. Gerald Curatola.
To read more about oral cancer detection, go to oral cancer detection.
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