Cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow and spread quickly and form a tumor. These can either be benign (non-cancerous), or malignant (cancerous). Cancer can form in any organ or tissue in the neck, and head and neck describes the range of cancerous tumors that can occur in the mouth, throat, larynx (voice box), nose, sinuses and around the eyes.
The two highest risk factors of these cancers are alcohol and tobacco use—they’re believed to cause at least 85% of head and neck cancers. People who regularly consume both are at a much greater risk of developing these cancers than people who only use one or use neither of these. Head and neck cancers make up around 4% of all cancer diagnoses, with 65,000 cases diagnosed each year. Men in their 50s and 60s are most at risk.
Spread the Word
Help spread awareness for head and neck cancer. Share this image on social media with the following hashtags. #WHNCD #WorldHeadNeckCancerDay
Warning Signs & Symptoms
Watch for warning signs and seek the professional opinion of your doctor or dentist. Look out for these symptoms.
- White or red patch on the gums, tongue, or lining of the mouth.
- Swelling of the jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly or become uncomfortable.
- Unusual bleeding or pain in the mouth.
- Trouble breathing or speaking.
- Pain when swallowing.
- Ear pain.
- Pain in the neck or throat that does not go away.
- Frequent coughing.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Unexplained bad breath.
Get Screened
Detecting cancer early can increase your chances of survival and decrease the overall cost of treatment. Perform a self screening, find free screenings near you or make an appointment with your healthcare provider or your family dentist. Not many people realize that their dentist is trained to look out for signs of cancer in your mouth.