This paper attempts to review epidemiological studies
of oral cancer and precancer in Malaysia. The defmitions
of prevalence, incidence, risk habits and oral cancer and
precancers were discussed to better understand' the
different types of studies conducted, which would be
important in making comparisons between studies.
Currently, epidemiological data on oral cancer in
Malaysia are sketchy. The only incidence data for oral
cancer in Malaysia was reported by Hirayama in 1966,
35 years ago. He estimated that 3.1 new cases per
100,000 population were diagnosed for the year 1963.
A number of histopathological data of oral and
maxillofacial biopsies were reported. Oral cancer
accounted for one-fifth of all oral biopsies. A national
study on oral mucosal lesions in Malaysia carried out
in 1993/4 reported that there was a variation seen in the
occurrence of oral premalignancy among the ethnic
groups. The Indians and the indigenous people of Sabah
and Sarawak were identified as high risk groups for oral
cancer and precancer. It was also observed that both of
the ethnic groups chewed betel quid.
In conclusion, the epidemiological studies have
provided useful data, which may be used in planning for
future oral health programmes and research towards
enhancing Malaysia's on-going effort in preventing the
occurrence of these diseases.