Oral cancer in Australia: regional and remote perspectives

Abstract

Oral squamous cell carcinoma is a lethal and deforming disease of rising global significance. Detailed information on contemporary incidence, patient awareness and preventative strategies in Australia remains somewhat lacking, however. Geographic profiling has shown a high burden of disease in regional and remote areas compared with metropolitan districts, with Indigenous Australians in particular exhibiting a high incidence of oral squamous cell carcinoma, reduced access to specialist treatment and ultimately, poor clinical outcomes. Strategies to deliver enhanced preventative techniques, improve diagnostic accuracy and encourage targetted interventional management for high risk populations in regional and remote communities are recommended