Dr Elizabeth Fitriana Sari, Senior Lecturer in Dentistry and Oral Health, is dedicated to the early detection and prevention of oral cancer.
“Oral cancer is an under-funded and under-researched topic,” she says. “And while the number of oral cancers diagnosed each year is low in comparison to other cancers, it is the only cancer where we are not making progress in terms of incidence and mortality rates.”
“The good news is oral cancer could be preventable, as there are early warning signs that can be detected by screening. Unfortunately, many dentists do not have the necessary skills to undertake screening.”
Through her research, Dr Sari is hoping to change this. Her research into oral cancer screening has had an impact both locally and globally.
“At La Trobe Rural Health School, all third-year dental students are now being trained to do comprehensive oral cancer screening. This approach has also been adopted by international partners in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.”
Dr Sari has also examined the association between betel quid chewing and oral cancer.
“Betel quid is made up of betel leaf, areca nut and slaked lime, and sometimes tobacco or spices. Chewing it is popular in some Southeast Asian countries and is a high-risk factor for oral cancer.”
“I also discovered that chewing fresh betel quid is less harmful than the processed variety. This means we have been able to introduce harm minimisation strategies with communities in Indonesia, Malaysia and Papua New Guinea, which will hopefully help reduce rates of oral cancer in these countries.”
Dr Sari hopes to introduce similar interventions closer to home in Australia, where betel quid vendors are proliferating.
“Betel quid is cultivated and sold in Australia, most notably in Papua New Guinea communities in North Queensland and the Northern Territory, as well as Indian communities in Melbourne.”
“The prevalence of betel quid vendors in Australia indicates that the regulations controlling the manufacture and distribution of betel quid are inadequate and intervention is necessary to prevent detrimental health effects spreading in Australia.”
