This year the VCCC Research and Education Lead Head and Neck Cancer program hosted its first oral and oropharyngeal cancer forum to promote understanding of the crucial impact of early diagnosis and the effectiveness of multidisciplinary care for patients diagnosed with these types of cancer.
The organisers were keen to provide leading-edge information to as many dental practitioners as possible and the meeting was professionally filmed. A full suite of recordings from the forum is now available on our website.
Twenty-three head and neck cancer specialists from the University of Melbourne, Royal Melbourne and St Vincent’s Hospitals, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Austin and Western Health, and two contributors with a personal experience of oral cancer came together to share their knowledge and insights for the benefit of dental primary care professionals.
The early diagnosis, referral and treatment of patients with oral or oropharyngeal cancers can save lives. Early intervention can also improve function in areas like speech and swallowing, and increases the potential to reduce disfigurement with all its physical and psychological consequences. Surveillance for oral and oropharyngeal cancers among oral health professionals in the community is relatively low. No national screening policy or protocol exists.
Ensuring that community oral health participants are confident about when to treat and when to refer, and improving the coordination of care between health care professionals has also been shown to contribute to improved outcomes and was a key focus of the meeting.
Associate Professor David Wiesenfeld, Research and Education Lead, Head and Neck Cancer says,
“Community oral health professionals play a critical role in the early diagnosis, referral and management of patients with an oral or oropharyngeal cancer. We hope these resources can provide valuable information to help build knowledge and understanding of the roles of all involved in the care of patients with these cancers.”
Resources are ordered according to the program as presented on the day. Click into each topic to view presentations from speakers. Hover over the topic headings on the right-hand side for a full explanation of video content.
For more information on the Oral and Oropharyngeal resources or to provide feedback, please contact Mary Stewart, Program Manager e: [email protected] ph: 03 8559 6159.
