巴布亚新几内亚正经历由槟榔咀嚼习惯驱动的口腔癌流行[1]。该国在185个国家中口腔癌发病率最高，次高发地区包括印度、孟加拉国和巴基斯坦[1]。槟榔中的主要成分槟榔碱已被国际癌症研究机构(IARC)列为"可能对人类致癌"物质[1]。
为应对这一公共卫生威胁，巴布亚新几内亚大学医学与卫生科学学院牙科部门启动了全国研究项目，并在四个地区22个省份组织了针对牙医的培训工作坊[1]。截至目前，来自12个省份的牙医已参加了这些培训[1]。2024年的牙医调查显示，现有知识缺口严重限制了对"口腔潜在恶性病变"(OPMDs)的及时识别[1]。通过系统培训，医疗工作者旨在增强对口腔病变的早期识别和筛查能力。
然而，该国目前仍缺乏全国癌症登记制度，口腔癌的真实疾病负担程度仍不为人知[1]。
Papua New Guinea faces a silent epidemic of oral cancer fueled by widespread betel nut consumption. Arecoline, the primary alkaloid in betel nuts, has been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as "possibly carcinogenic to humans."[1] The country now bears the highest oral cancer incidence rate among 185 nations, followed by India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.[1]
To address this public health crisis, the Department of Dentistry at the University of Papua New Guinea's School of Medicine and Health Sciences has launched a nationwide research initiative and established training programs for dental professionals.[1] A 2024 survey of dentists revealed significant knowledge gaps that have impeded early identification of oral potentially malignant disorders, or OPMDs.[1] The university has conducted annual training workshops across four regions encompassing 22 provinces, with dental practitioners from 12 provinces having already completed the program.[1]
Despite these efforts, the true burden of oral cancer in Papua New Guinea remains unclear. The country currently lacks a national cancer registry, leaving the actual scope of the disease undocumented.[1]
