East Hanover dentist offers tips for early detection of oral cancer

Nearly 50,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer annually and almost half of those who get infected will die within five years due to the lack of early detection, according to Dr. John Graeber, an East Hanover-based dentist.

Graeber, who was among the first in the U.S. to introduce air abrasion and no-drill fillings, is now incorporating a new tool in his practice called the Velscope to help with early detection.

“Not every dentist has this technology,” he said. “It costs several thousand dollars and isn’t currently reimbursed by insurance — but its presence can save a life.”

Though Graeber suspects that the prevalence of oral cancer has likely remained consistent over the years, “what’s changed is our ability to detect it in the early stages,” he said. “It can be hard to visualize under normal white lighting conditions, but a number of devices that use blue light with a special filter (like the Velscope) can identify lesions sooner than white light.”

On Saturday, Graeber, is offering free oral cancer screenings at his East Hanover office, 470 Ridgedale Ave., using the blue light Velscope technology, a comprehensive white light exam and a physical examination of the oral cavity.

“This practice is standard for all of our patients and we also offer this service annually in Hanover Township and at various health fairs, but we hope to raise awareness of oral cancer among the broader community,” Graeber said.

Exams will be held 10 a.m. to noon; no appointment is necessary. “It’s a two-minute, completely painless procedure that can truly save a life,” he said. “It’s very important to help educate people about good oral health and we hope we can make a difference.”

Graeber explained how oral cancer is similar to skin cancer in that the majority of cases involve basal cell carcinomas.

“The most common causes of oral cancer were traditionally tobacco and alcohol use, though a form of the human papillomavirus, or HPV — which is linked to cervical cancer in women — can also cause basal cell carcinomas,” said Graeber.

“In the past few years, viral causes of oral cancer such as HPV have been coming on strong, leading oral cancer to become an STD,” he said, as popularized in the media by such celebrities as Michael Douglas.

“Very few lesions are felt until they spread to the lip and become a sore that doesn’t go away, like a mouth ulcer,” said Graeber. “They can stay dormant for some time, causing very little pain and appearing only as a small ulcer on the tissue surface, but if left untreated they can spread to other organs.”

Graeber offers the following tips for preventing oral cancer:

Get regular and thorough check-ups

Graeber recommends that patients pursue annual dental check-ups with dentists who thoroughly screen for oral cancer. “Ideally, this is done in three ways — by examining the mouth region in white light, by physically feeling for masses in the face and neck with our hands and also by using an instrument that facilitates early detection, such as technology that uses a blue light like a Velscope,” he said. “A small lesion that I remove with a standard dental laser is an easy treatment and simple measure that can help patients avoid the worst.”

Avoid destructive or ill-advised behaviors

In addition to not smoking or consuming excessive amounts of alcohol, Graeber said that other activities should also be avoided. Among those, “people shouldn’t ‘self-medicate’ by putting aspirin directly against a sore because it can cause burns, and people should also avoid creating lesions by consuming coffee, pizza, or other items that are too hot and can burn the mouth.”

Be aware of symptoms

“Red or white patches on any part of the lip or mouth that don’t heal within a few days or any kind of excessive growth are red flags,” said Graeber. “Don’t delay in consulting a professional for anything lasting more than a few days or which doesn’t have an obvious cause.”

Understand the link to HPV

“Viruses were always suspected as a cause of some cancers,” Graeber said. “There’s now a vaccination for HPV and I discuss STDs with my teenage patients so that they understand the links and risks.”

Graeber said the key to addressing oral cancer is early detection and prevention. “With adherence to simple procedures and vigilance on the part of dentists and patients, oral cancer can be effectively treated or prevented.”

Source: http://www.dailyrecord.com/story/life/good-life/health/2015/09/24/east-hanover-dentist-offers-tips-early-detection-oral-cancer/72750894/

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