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Cancers at a glance

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Cancer in NSW: Incidence and Mortality 2008

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Head and neck cancer

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Head and neck cancers arise in the tongue, mouth, salivary glands, pharynx, larynx, nose and sinuses. They account for 2.6 per cent of all new cancers and 2.6 per cent of all cancer deaths in NSW.

At a glance

2008 statistics Men Women All People
Cases Rate Trend Cases Rate Trend Cases Rate
New cases 702 19.6 positive trend downwards 10.1 255 6.4 positive trend downwards 10.1 957 12.6
Deaths 257 7.2 positive trend downwards 22.5 92 2.1 positive trend downwards 23.4 349 4.5
Relative survival
(5 year)		 58% icon-trend-static.png 2% 64% icon-trend-static.png 8% -

icon-trend-static.png No statistically significant change.

  • Head and neck cancers account for 3.4 per cent of all cancers in men and 1.6 per cent of cancers in women.
  • One in 43 men and one in 129 women will develop head and neck cancer by the age of 85.
  • From 1999 to 2008, incidence rates of head and neck cancer fell 10.1 per cent in men and women respectively in NSW

Cases refers to the number of people with the disease; Rate means cases per 100,000 people (age standardised); Trend means the change in the rate over 10 years.

Historical trends

New cases

Age-standardised incidence, NSW

headneck-incidence.png

Deaths

Age-standardised mortality, NSW

NSW head and neck cancer mortality, 1972-2008

 

Risk factors

  • Tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption are the two established risk factors.
  • Risk increases when smoking and alcohol consumption are combined.
  • Sun exposure (lip cancer).
  • Human papillomavirus (HPV) may also increase the risk.
  • A family history of head and neck cancer may present an increased risk.

 

Prevention

Avoiding tobacco (smoking and chewing) and alcohol consumption are the best ways to avoid head and neck cancer.

For advice on how to quit, speak to a doctor, a pharmacist or call the Quitline on 13-QUIT.

The Cancer Institute NSW also has a website www.icanquit.com.au that provides all the tools smokers need to kick the habit for good.

Detection and screening

There is no screening method for head and neck cancer.

Symptoms of head and neck cancer are varied and also associated with more common illnesses that are not cancer. Such symptoms may include persistent pain in the ear, mouth, throat or neck, chronic sinus infection or an unexplained lump in the region.

To diagnose a cancer of the head and neck a doctor will use a range of methods, including physical examination, blood tests, x-rays, MRI, CT scan and biopsy.

Research

More than $2.1 million was spent on research into head and neck cancer in NSW between 2007 and 2009.

Data sources:

  1. Cancer In NSW, Incidence and Mortality Report 2008. Sydney: Cancer Institute NSW, August 2010.
  2. Cancer Research in NSW 2007-2009. Sydney: Cancer Institute NSW. March 2011.
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