Nearly 90 per cent of head and neck cancers are caused by lifestyle-related factors, particularly tobacco and alcohol use, according to findings published by The JAMA Network, underscoring that most of the disease burden is largely preventable.
Head and neck cancers develop from the lining of the upper aerodigestive tract, affecting areas such as the mouth, throat, voice box, nasal cavity and sinuses.
Globally, they rank as the seventh most common cancer, posing a significant public health challenge despite being linked to avoidable risk factors.
Data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Global Cancer Observatory show that between 890,000 and 947,000 new cases of head and neck cancers are diagnosed worldwide each year, with about 450,000 deaths recorded annually.
Incidence varies widely across regions, with higher rates reported in countries where tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption are common.
While some parts of Africa and Central America report lower rates, experts warn that low- and middle-income countries continue to shoulder a disproportionate share of the burden due to widespread exposure to risk factors and limited access to early diagnosis and treatment.
Kenya’s burden higher than global average
In Kenya, head and neck cancers account for about 10 per cent of all cancer cases, a figure that exceeds the global average.
National data linked to WHO estimates show the country recorded approximately 44,726 new cancer cases and 29,317 cancer-related deaths in 2022.
Health experts say the figures highlight the urgent need to tackle modifiable risks such as tobacco and alcohol use, as well as human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, which is increasingly linked to cancers of the throat and oropharynx.
“Worldwide, tobacco and alcohol remain the most dominant drivers of head and neck cancers, making prevention strategies one of the most effective tools in reducing incidence,” the report notes.
Early diagnosis improves survival
The stage at which the cancer is detected plays a critical role in patient outcomes. About 30 per cent of patients are diagnosed at an early stage, when tumours are smaller than four centimetres and have not spread to nearby lymph nodes.
For early-stage disease, surgery or radiotherapy is often effective, with five-year survival rates ranging from 70 to 90 per cent.
However, more advanced cancers frequently require a combination of treatments, including surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.
Survival rates for advanced disease drop significantly, ranging from 25 to 60 per cent, although patients with HPV-related oropharyngeal cancers tend to fare better, with survival rates exceeding 80 per cent.
Prevention key to reducing cases
Public health experts stress that most head and neck cancers are preventable. Reducing tobacco and alcohol consumption, expanding HPV vaccination, and promoting early screening could significantly cut new cases and deaths.
Emerging treatments such as immunotherapy and targeted therapies are offering new hope for patients with advanced disease, but prevention and early detection remain the most effective strategies.
Warning signs not to ignore
Early symptoms can be subtle and are often mistaken for minor infections. Persistent mouth ulcers, lumps in the neck or jaw, difficulty swallowing, prolonged hoarseness, unexplained weight loss, and bleeding from the mouth or nose are among the key warning signs.
Medical professionals advise that any symptom lasting more than two to three weeks should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.
As research continues, health authorities say coordinated efforts in awareness, prevention and timely treatment could dramatically reduce the impact of a disease that is, in many cases, entirely avoidable.