Brian, I am hardly the TV type.

I am more confident now that my office has added the ViziLite exam to the cancer screening protocol that we have always followed. Although it will not help to pick up everything, it will show areas which are not visible to the naked eye and that need further examination and followup. My entire staff, from the receptionists to the chairside assistants, are very motivated in promoting early detection.

Gary, you are correct that a dentist will not be able to fully visualize the tonsils as well as the back of the mouth and throat. An ENT has the equipment to do that. Since my situation was different than most, as I went directly to the head and neck surgeon, I did not have an ENT involved in my treatment. I recently had a gastroenterologist do an endoscopy for another problem and he saw nothing. However, he said that he does not examine the tonsils and behind. Therefore, I am seeing an ENT at the end of this month. I have had 2 followup exams with the surgeon and he checks the surgical site, remaining lymph nodes, but not much else. I am not confident having him as the only one (besides my partners) being responsible for checking me.

As an aside, I am hoping to visit the NYU dental school with Eva Grayzel in the fall. She is hoping that my being there will help make a bigger impact on the dental students. Eva has been doing these speaking engagements for quite a while, but it will be new to me.

As far as the article that Brian mentioned is concerned, my office administrator was instrumental in getting the reporter out. We thought it was a good message to bring to the public. The article was published on July 17th, the morning I was leaving for Ireland for 2 weeks and I am first going back to work today. My undersatnding is that 10 people (not patients) called and came in for ViziLite exams. People do read the paper.

For those that are intertested, I just found a link to the article: http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/111-07172005-515499.html.

You will, however, have to manage without the photos that were in the paper. You're not missing much.

At some time in the future, Brian hopes to get the article on the web site.

Jerry

Jerry

Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.

"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"