World Head and Neck Cancer Day is celebrated on 27 July each year to create public awareness about head and neck cancer and acknowledge its impact on people in our communities.

Oral cancer is a debilitating disease, with most people in the Pacific presenting to the dentist at the advanced stage of the disease.

According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (GLOBOCAN, 2020) estimates; lip and oral cavity cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide with a global incidence of more than 350,000 new cases and 177,000 deaths every year.

Similarly, the number of oral cancer cases reported in Fiji from 2000 to 2021 has increased dramatically, with approximately 14 cases reported per year and majority of the patients presenting with cancer of the tongue.

This is a challenge for Fiji and the Pacific alike due to the late case presentation and having very poor prognosis.

Community and public awareness on the early signs of the disease is important so that people can report any unusual lesions in the earlier stage of infection.

The dental courses offered at the School of Dentistry & Oral Health prepares students to be aware of the different dental diseases and its impact on quality of life.

Students providing dental treatment to patients at the teaching clinic also carry out screening for oral cancer and its associated risk factors, providing awareness and chair-side counseling to patients.

Visit you family doctor or dentist if you have any unusual sore on the lateral surfaces of the tongue, floor of the mouth and other areas in the mouth.

Dr Osea Dukuno
Associate Professor & Head of School
School of Dentistry & Oral Health
College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences