I got an email from my dentist about a new cancer screening procedure. I read it thoroughly, and am paraphrasing it here for you:
Oral Cancer continues to rise, with the American Cancer Society citing a 61% rise since
2010. 25% of the new oral cancer cases are people that do not have any of the
traditional lifestyle risk factors, like age, tobacco and alcohol use. It is the HPV (Human
Papiloma Virus) that is the leading cause of oral cancer. Traditionally, oral cancer
screening is performed with the naked eye, but a new technology called VELscope
(Visually Enhanced Lesion scope) has received FDA approval and may be offered to you
during your next dental appointment. It is an early detection procedure like a
colonoscopy, mammogram, PAP smear or PSA exam, and is a painless, non-invasive
blue light that is shined into your mouth. The images are viewed through the back of
the handpiece and the dentist may find tissue abnormalities at an early stage. These
potential abnormalities can range from minor to issues of great concern that can
require further examination and follow up.
At first glance, I thought, “Cool, great, new technology saving lives.” But then the anxiety began. Because while I am not at high risk for oral cancer (no tobacco and low alcohol use), the numbers quoted say it all. 25% of the new oral cancer cases are people who aren’t at high risk. Well, so I’ve already been part of the “there’s such a low chance that could happen” part of society. I have already beaten those odds (the wrong way) with DCIS.
So, it comes down to how I feel about these kinds of tests, right? Well, until I found out I had cancer on my very first mammogram of all time, I felt fine about these types of tests. Early detection tests are great! We should always take advantage of understanding more about what is going on in our bodies.
The anxiety that comes along with it is less than thrilling, though. My mind says that at my next dental appointment, I will have this test performed, and that while I am laying there, I will not be breathing, and I will likely be wringing my hands uncomfortably in my lap. And I likely won’t breathe again until they tell me everything looks fine. At least I won’t have to wait for an email, letter or phone call, right? They should be able to tell me right then and there!
I woke up early and decided what to wear- in case I got bad news, I wouldn’t want to wear my favorite shirt so that shirt was ruined for me forever….
It sounds silly as I type this (and a few readers probably rolled their eyes at the ridiculousness of the previous statement) but I know exactly what I was wearing when I got my biopsy done. And every time I reach for that shirt, I am reminded of the chain of events that led from getting that biopsy. It is amazing, what our brain puts into memory and what it locks away forever. For example, while I can remember the outfit I was wearing, down to the jewelry, actually, when I got my biopsy, I have absolutely no idea what I was wearing the day I fell to my knees after receiving the phone call that I had hormone positive DCIS.
Anyway, at my appointment, it turns out that they don’t use that screening procedure unless there is something they see in patient’s mouths that would cause concern. So really, it’s a secondary screening. I got myself all worked up over nothing. I am going to use this as a teaching-myself moment: next time an email comes through, I need to trust the process and not build up anxiety about it.
We move forward, in good health.
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