Busting Myths About Head and Neck Cancers
During Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month, specialists are continuing to challenge some long-standing myths about head and neck cancer — and share encouraging signs of progress in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Here are some key take-home messages for our community.
HPV vaccination is making a difference
One of the biggest shifts in recent years is our growing understanding of the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in head and neck cancer. Increasingly, cancers of the throat (oropharynx) are linked to HPV rather than smoking. The good news is that HPV vaccination can significantly reduce risk, making prevention more possible than ever before.
Head and neck cancer is changing — and affecting different people
While these cancers still occur most often in people aged 60–70, a small but important number of younger people are now being diagnosed, sometimes without traditional risk factors. Researchers are continuing to explore why this is happening, including possible links to oral health and diet.
Earlier diagnosis improves survival
Around 60% of people are still diagnosed at a later stage (stage III or IV). Earlier diagnosis leads to better outcomes, which is why recognising symptoms and seeking medical advice early remains one of the most important advances we can make together as a community.
Symptoms to check include:
a lump in the neck lasting more than three weeks
a sore throat that doesn’t go away
changes in voice
difficulty swallowing
tongue or mouth lesions
coughing or spitting blood
Treatment is more personalised than many people realise
A common fear is that surgery always leads to loss of speech or major disability. In reality, treatment depends on the cancer’s location and stage, and many people retain speech and swallowing function. Care is increasingly planned by multidisciplinary specialist teams, helping tailor treatment to each person.
New therapies and clinical trials are expanding options
Cancer centres are continuing to run clinical trials and develop new therapies, including targeted treatments and immunotherapy approaches. These advances are helping improve outcomes and quality of life for many patients.
