Have you heard of head and neck cancer? If you haven’t—you’re not alone. A pan-European survey in 2020 found that 38% of people did not know what the disease was, and 73% were unaware of its symptoms.1
Head and neck cancer can be used to describe any cancer which is found in the head or neck region, except in the eyes, brain, ears or oesophagus. On their own, many of these cancers are rare diseases, but together they are the eighth most common cause of cancer death in Europe, with approximately 73,000 deaths in 2022.2
For those living with the disease, head and neck cancer can be debilitating. Surgery and other treatments can transform a patient’s appearance, with visible deformities which can impact their day-to-day life, including their ability to eat, drink or speak. Check out some survivor stories here, or watch Stephan’s video below, to hear from survivors about how they have managed their cancer and how it impacts them today.
By 2030, it is predicted that the number of new cases of head and neck cancer will increase by 173,000, with a further 95,000 people dying from the disease worldwide.3,4
This is why it is vital to raise awareness of head and neck cancer, its risk factors and signs and symptoms, so we can help save lives.
So what are the risk factors, signs and symptoms?
Approximately three out of four cases of head and neck cancer are thought to be linked to tobacco and/or alcohol use.5
However, the number of HPV-related cases of head and neck cancer is also rising around the world. Alarmingly, these cases are often in young and otherwise healthy individuals.
The good news is that HPV cancers can be prevented through vaccination – which is recommended for 11- to 12-year-olds in many European countries to provide protection against a number of diseases caused by HPV, including cervical cancer. (Vaccination recommendations, including the age at which the vaccine is offerered, vary according to country – ask your healthcare provider for advice on vaccination).
In recent years, HPV vaccination has become an established medical practice. However, further studies will be required to confirm the generally accepted opinion that vaccines have been effective in preventing HPV-related head and neck cancers.
Early diagnosis can save lives
Despite the potential importance of these gender-neutral vaccinations for head and neck cancer prevention, most European countries are focused on vaccinating girls to protect against HPV associated cervical cancer.6
Early diagnosis and referral can save lives—at an early stage, the survival rate of head and neck cancer is 80–90%.7 However, 60% of cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage,8 when the 5-year survival rate is only 66%.9 This is why leading experts from the European Head and Neck Society created the 1for3 rule:
Raising awareness of this rule is incredibly important, as many symptoms can be easily dismissed or confused for other diseases.
Let’s drive change for head and neck cancer patients together
With the new European Parliament focusing on cancer as a top health priority, there are several important steps that politicians need to take:
- Implement gender-neutral HPV vaccination at a country level and set high targets for uptake
- Invest in creating specialised high-volume treatment centres for head and neck cancer
- Promote and fund local programmes to help patients recover and thrive after treatment
- Dedicate EU and national research & innovation funds to advancing research on head and neck cancer
And you can help too!
Take part in the Make Sense head and neck cancer Awareness Week from 16–21 September 2024: join activities near you, engage with the Make Sense Campaign’s social media posts, and share the 1for3 rule with friends & family.
Together, let’s raise awareness and improve head and neck cancer prevention, diagnosis and care!
For more information check out our website, or find us on: X, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.
References
1. Make Sense 2020 Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Survey, YouGov, 2020. Data on File.
2. Global Cancer Observatory 2022: Cancer Today. Available here. Last accessed: August 2024.
3. Global Cancer Observatory 2022: Cancer Tomorrow. Cancer Incidence. Available here. Last accessed: August 2024.
4. Global Cancer Observatory 2022: Cancer Tomorrow. Cancer Mortality. Available here. Last accessed: August 2024.
5. Duffy SA et al. J Clin Oncol. 2009;27(12):1969–75.
6. Falcaro M et al. Lancet. 2021;398(10316):2084–92.
7. MSD Manual. Overview of Head and neck Tumors. Available here. Last accessed: August 2024.
8. Vermorken JB et al. Ann Oncol. 2010;21(Suppl 7):vii252–61.
9. Gatta G et al. Eur J Cancer. 2015;51(15):2130-43.
