Prof. Li-Sheng Chen delivered a lecture on oral cancer prevention, highlighting the high global disease burden with 300,000 new cases annually, particularly in Asia and South Asia, where 66% of cases occur. Prof. Li, as he is affectionately called, noted that although mortality rates from oral cancer are high due to high incidence and low survival rates, the situation varies across regions, with some countries in Europe and the Americas having lower rates, while Taiwan and Sri Lanka face very high rates. He also mentioned his research publications on cancer screening, oral technologies, and AI in dental and oral health, inviting participants to contact him for more information on these topics.
Standardizing Mortality for Global Comparisons
The discussion focused on the use of standardized mortality rates for resource allocation and cross-country comparisons. Prof. Li explained how age-standardized ratios allow comparisons between regions or countries by adjusting for age distribution. He also explained the three levels of cancer prevention: primary (preventing incidence), secondary (early detection), and tertiary (treating and preventing disability), with indicators related to case fatality rates and survival rates. Prof. Li concluded by explaining how case fatality ratios can be mapped and calculated.
Author: Andri Wicaksono | Photo: Fajar Budi Harsakti
