Houston Dentist Purvi Pandya: Get Oral Cancer Screening, Research Shows HPV16 Virus Causal Factor

HOUSTON - April 23, 2014 - PRLog -- NFL Hall of Famer Jim Kelly’s battle against oral cancer is a “wake-up call” for teens to seniors, according to Houston dentist Dr. Purvi T. Pandya of Prava Dental. April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month. Pandya is offering patients a complimentary Oral Cancer screening, using MD Anderson-approved procedures.

“You really need to know what’s going on in your mouth,” Pandya said. “A professional dental care visit is the only way to know for sure.” Kelly, a non-smoker who did not use smokeless tobacco, has been treated this month after oral cancer resurfaced in the 54 year old. Last June, Kelly had major surgery to address the oral cancer. Kelly’s cancer centered in his upper mouth with part of his jaw, upper mouth and several teeth removed during the surgery.

He played for the former USFL’s Houston Gamblers in the early part of his storied career. “Unfortunately, a healthy sports legend’s battle with oral cancer may be the alarm that gets Houstonians ready to have a cancer screening,” Pandya said. A Houston native, Pandya graduated from Texas A&M and the University of Texas School of Dentistry and has practiced dentistry here for 14-years.

Pandya recalled oral cancer screenings on patients that required further investigation, diagnosis and oral cancer treatment. “The intensive MD Anderson-approved screening procedure we use at Prava Dental is quite thorough,” Pandya said. “Oral cancer can present itself in young adults as well as senior citizens. Research showing causal factors and patient age trends is surprising.”

According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, patients with oral cancer historically had been over the age of 40 when diagnosed. Today, research proves that HPV16, human papilloma virus number 16, is a causal factor in oral cancer emerging in younger patients. The Oral Cancer Foundation reports, “The human papilloma virus, particularly version 16, has now been shown to be sexually transmitted between partners, and is conclusively implicated in the increasing incidence of young non-smoking oral cancer patients.”

For Prava Dental patients, the oral cancer screening is free, a value of $65. In addition to the complimentary oral cancer screening, new Prava Dental patients need a comprehensive dental exam and x-rays because dentists are required to have current dental health records on all patients.

To schedule an oral cancer screening and new patient visit to help give you and your family peace of mind, call Prava Dental at 281.251.7770 or go to PravaDental.com (http://www.pravadental.com). Learn more facts about oral cancer at OralCancerFoundation.org. Prava Dental is located at 10300 Louetta Rd. #132, Houston, TX 77070 and on Facebook at PravaDental (http://www.facebook.com/pravadental).