IADR Abstract Archives
Burden of Head and Neck Cancer in Australia: 1982-2017
Objectives: Head and Neck cancer is the sixth most common cancer worldwide, but global incidence varies widely. The aim of this study was to report the incidence and prevalence trends of head and neck cancer in Australia on a national and state level.
Methods: Data regarding new and old cases of cancer of the head and neck (International Classification of Disease-10) (including lip cancer) were obtained from the Cancer data registry through the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare for the period 1982–2017. Age-specific incidence rate and 1-year prevalence at end of each year, stratified by state, Indigenous status, sex, age group, year were estimated.
Results: The number of new cases of head and neck cancer diagnosed increased from 2,473 (1,942 males and 531 females) in 1982 to 4,489 in 2017. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate decreased from 19 cases per 100,000 person-years (32 for males and 7.9 for females) in 1982 to 16 cases per 100,000 person-years in 2017. A total of 17,220 living people had been diagnosed with head and neck cancer in the previous 5 years (from 2012 to 2016) and 47,240 people living who had been diagnosed with head and neck cancer in the previous 35 years (from 1982 to 2016). For both Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australians, the age-specific incidence for head and neck cancer increased with increasing age.
Conclusions: Dental professionals play a significant role in early detection and prevention of oral cancer, and the steady increase in the number of cases highlights the importance of regular screening and monitoring of suspicious oral lesions.
Methods: Data regarding new and old cases of cancer of the head and neck (International Classification of Disease-10) (including lip cancer) were obtained from the Cancer data registry through the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare for the period 1982–2017. Age-specific incidence rate and 1-year prevalence at end of each year, stratified by state, Indigenous status, sex, age group, year were estimated.
Results: The number of new cases of head and neck cancer diagnosed increased from 2,473 (1,942 males and 531 females) in 1982 to 4,489 in 2017. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate decreased from 19 cases per 100,000 person-years (32 for males and 7.9 for females) in 1982 to 16 cases per 100,000 person-years in 2017. A total of 17,220 living people had been diagnosed with head and neck cancer in the previous 5 years (from 2012 to 2016) and 47,240 people living who had been diagnosed with head and neck cancer in the previous 35 years (from 1982 to 2016). For both Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australians, the age-specific incidence for head and neck cancer increased with increasing age.
Conclusions: Dental professionals play a significant role in early detection and prevention of oral cancer, and the steady increase in the number of cases highlights the importance of regular screening and monitoring of suspicious oral lesions.