Everyone is at Risk for Deadly Oral Cancer; A Fast and Painless Exam Could Save Your...

Everyone is at Risk for Deadly Oral Cancer; A Fast and Painless Exam Could Save Your Life

PHOENIX--(Business Wire)--
Oral cancer kills one American every hour, largely due to late
detection.

It used to be known as a disease of older men with histories of
heavy smoking or drinking. But today's oral cancer victim is often
younger and female. Oral cancer among people in their 40's nearly
doubled from 1973-2004, and researchers think they know why.

The human papillomavirus (HPV), long known as the primary cause of
cervical cancer, turns out to be an equal-opportunity killer, causing
oral cancer in men as well as in women. Oral cancer strikes three
times as many Americans as cervical cancer, and kills twice as many
per year. As reported recently on ABC TV's Good Morning America, 39%
of today's oral cancer cases stem from HPV infection.

ABC showcased the new face of oral cancer: Theresa Dillon, a
38-year-old mom with no history of tobacco use was diagnosed with
Stage II oral cancer on her tonsil. The cause? The HPV virus.

Johns Hopkins researchers, writing in the February issue of the
Journal of Clinical Oncology, reported that the sexually transmitted
HPV virus causes as many cancers of the upper throat as tobacco and
alcohol combined. Oral sex is the likely method of transmission. They
said the incidence rate for HPV-related oral cancers among males has
been rising steadily for three decades.

"Every sexually active adult may be at risk for oral cancer," says
Dr. Omer Reed, Phoenix-based dentist and international dental practice
consultant, "but no one should have to suffer, let alone die, from
this disease." Reed says dentists across the U.S. and Canada offer a
3-minute, totally painless exam called ViziLite(R) Plus that has been
clinically proven to help dentists detect abnormal tissue, including
pre-cancerous and cancerous lesions. After a patient rinses with a
special solution, the dentist examines the mouth with a light stick
that illuminates abnormalities. Suspicious areas are marked with a
temporary dye called TBlue(R) for follow-up.

As Ms. Dillon said on Good Morning America, "People think the face
of oral cancer is a 70-year-old man who's been chewing tobacco and
drinking whisky all his life. The face of oral cancer now is me, a
young woman, healthy, non-smoking, fit."

Many insurance companies cover the ViziLite Plus exam. To find a
dentist offering ViziLite Plus exams in your area, go to
www.vizilite.com.

"An oral cancer exam should be a key part of every adult's annual
dental check-up," says Dr. Reed.

About Zila, Inc.

Zila, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZILAD), headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, is
a diagnostic company dedicated to the prevention, detection and
treatment of oral cancer and periodontal disease. Zila manufactures
and markets ViziLite(R) Plus with TBlue(R) ("ViziLite(R) Plus"), the
company's flagship product for the early detection of oral
abnormalities that could lead to cancer. ViziLite(R) Plus is an
adjunctive medical device cleared by the FDA for use in a population
at increased risk for oral cancer. In addition, Zila designs,
manufactures and markets a suite of proprietary products sold
exclusively and directly to dental professionals for periodontal
disease, including the Rotadent(R) Professional Powered Brush, the
Pro-Select Platinum(R) ultrasonic scaler and a portfolio of oral
pharmaceutical products for both in-office and home-care use. All of
Zila's products are marketed and sold in the United States and Canada
primarily through the company's direct field sales force and
telemarketing organization. The company's products are marketed and
sold in other international markets through the direct sales forces of
third party distributors. Zila's marketing programs reach most U.S.
dental offices and include continuing education seminars for dentists
and their staffs.

Public Relations:
Sklar & Associates
Bill Sklar, 520-299-2830
or
Investor Relations:
PondelWilkinson Inc.
Robert Jaffe, 310-279-5969

Copyright Business Wire 2008