Highlands region accounts for 68% of nation’s deadly oral cancer toll, says specialist
Papua New Guinea is now facing a growing oral cancer crisis, with health experts warning that the disease is killing more people at an alarming rate as new patients continue to arrive at hospitals every day.
Dental Specialist at the Mt Hagen Specialist Hospital, Dr. Thomas Tatua said, PNG is now ranked number one globally for oral cancer cases, with the Highlands Region carrying the biggest burden in the country.
Dr. Tatua says statistics show that 68% of oral cancer cases in PNG are from the Highlands Region, followed by Momase with 18%, Southern Region with 9% and the New Guinea Islands Region [NGI] with 5%.
He described oral cancer as a ruthless and aggressive disease that is killing people quickly, especially when patients seek treatment at very late stages.
Dr. Tatua said he is now seeing oral cancer patients every single day at the Mt Hagen Specialist Hospital, with most cases already advanced when they arrive for medical help.
He said the rate of mouth cancer in PNG is now huge and continues to increase rapidly.
Dr. Tatua further revealed that betelnut chewing remains the leading cause of oral cancer in the country, with nearly 80% of his patients having a history of chewing buai.
Because of the alarming rise in cases, the Western Highlands Provincial Health Authority [WHPHA] is now taking steps to tackle the deadly disease through rural outreach programs, awareness campaigns and training for Village Health Assistants [VHA] and health workers in Tambul Nebilyer District.
While delivering a presentation during an oral cancer and wellness training session at the Tambul Health Centre, Dr. Tatua stressed that early detection and proper awareness at the community level are critical to saving lives.
He urged clinicians and health workers attending the training to carefully examine patients for early signs of oral cancer before making referrals to Mt Hagen Hospital.
Dr. Tatua said early detection can save lives if symptoms are identified quickly.
The dental specialist also carried out practical demonstrations to equip participants with skills to identify early symptoms during patient examinations.
The two-day oral cancer and wellness training brought together staff from Tambul Health Centre, Kiripia Health Centre, Village Health Assistants, representatives from Marie Stopes and members of the Upper and Lower Nebilyer communities at Togoba Health Centre recently.