Oral Cancer Cases Reach Alarming Levels in PNG Highlands

Oral Cancer Cases Reach Alarming Levels in PNG Highlands

Papua New Guinea is facing a worsening oral cancer crisis, with doctors warning that more people are dying from the disease as hospitals continue to receive new cases almost every day.

At the centre of the growing concern is the Highlands Region, where health authorities say the majority of oral cancer patients are coming from. Dental Specialist Dr. Thomas Tatua from the Mt Hagen Specialist Hospital says PNG now records the highest number of oral cancer cases in the world.

Speaking during an oral cancer and wellness training in Tambul Nebilyer District, Dr. Tatua said the disease is spreading rapidly and many patients are arriving at hospital when the cancer has already reached dangerous stages.

Dr. Tatua revealed that statistics show 68 per cent of oral cancer cases in PNG are from the Highlands Region. Momase Region follows with 18 per cent, Southern Region with 9 per cent while the New Guinea Islands Region records 5 per cent.

He described oral cancer as a fast-moving disease that destroys lives quickly when treatment is delayed.

According to Dr. Tatua, Mt Hagen Specialist Hospital is now treating oral cancer patients daily, with many cases already advanced by the time patients seek medical attention.

He said the number of people suffering from mouth cancer continues to rise across the country and warned that betelnut chewing remains the biggest contributor to the disease.

Dr. Tatua stated that close to 80 per cent of oral cancer patients treated at the hospital have a history of chewing buai.

Because of the growing number of cases, the Western Highlands Provincial Health Authority has started awareness and training programs aimed at helping communities identify symptoms early.

The authority recently carried out a two-day oral cancer and wellness training at Tambul Health Centre involving health workers, Village Health Assistants, staff from Kiripia Health Centre, representatives from Marie Stopes and members of Upper and Lower Nebilyer communities.

During the training, Dr. Tatua urged clinicians and community health workers to examine patients carefully for early warning signs before referring them to Mt Hagen Hospital.

He also conducted practical demonstrations to help participants recognise symptoms during patient checks.

“Early detection can save lives if symptoms are identified quickly,” Dr. Tatua said.

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