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Download a free infographic for World Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Day
1 min read 25 July 2025
July 27 is World Head and Neck Cancer Day which aims to bring global attention to one of the most complex and under recognised groups of cancers which can affect areas such as the throat, mouth, nose, and salivary glands.
In 2024, an estimated 5,530 Australians were diagnosed with a head and neck cancer. We're sharing an infographic with key facts and highlighting Peter Mac’s research into new treatments to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
View and download a copy of this infographic (PDF)
The information was last updated July 2025. See where our sources are from below;
- Over 5,530 Australians are diagnosed with head and neck cancer every year AIHW Source (refine to Head and neck inc lip in 2024)
- Head and Neck Cancer is incredibly complex and diverse with up to 40 types and sub-sites that can affect a person’s mouth, tongue, salivary glands, skin or voice box. Each type comes with its own causes, symptoms, characteristics, complexities and treatment options. (source)
- There are 3 main types of head and neck cancers: Mucosal squamous cell carcinomas being the most common, Adenocarcinomas, and Cutaneous carcinomas (source)
- Men are 3 times more likely than women to develop head and neck cancer (source)
- About 9 out of 10 oral and oropharyngeal cancers start in the moist lining of the mouth, nose or throat. Source
- The 5-year survival rate of head and neck cancers (inc lip) has grown from 61% to 72% between 1982 and 2020 61% in 1982, 72% in 2020
- Where do cancers typically occur (Source)