Mouth Cancer Awareness Consortium

THE MOUTH CANCER AWARENESS CONSORTIUM | WWW.MOUTHCANCERAWARENESS.ORG

Oral and pharyngeal cancer is the sixth most common malignancy reported worldwide and one with a relatively high mortality rate. The incidence and mortality from oral cancer is rising in several regions of Europe, Taiwan, Japan, Australia and elsewhere.

A majority of epithelial cancers in the head and neck are related to lifestyle and thus, are potentially preventable cancers. Tobacco (smoking and chewing) and alcohol as well as other products such as betel nut are the most common aetiological factors. Thus, these cancers are most prevalent in those parts of the world where such lifestyle habits are customary (e.g. Southeast Asia, Brazil, Spain, France and Eastern Europe).

Health education and awareness of the risks of tobacco, alcohol and betel nut use in any form is crucial for prevention and early diagnosis of oral malignancies of epithelial origin in the upper aerodigestive tract, if we are to see improvements in cure rates. Awareness and understanding of the risk factors for oral cancer in high risk populations is not good; indeed. knowledge among both public and health care professionals of risk factors, and diagnosis is highly variable, and frequently sub-optimal, sometimes even after high-profile public education campaigns.”

Comprehension of early detection methodology and risk factors does not reach many people at greatest risk - such as people of low socioeconomic status, and those in resource poor countries, and many users of tobacco, alcohol or betel nut. Simple campaigns can increase cancer awareness.

“A collaborative effort such to increase awareness, health education and counseling with the aim to prevent oral and upper aerodigestive cancers or improve outcomes through early diagnosis and implementation of appropriate treatment is urgently required.

The International Agency for Research in Cancer (IARC), Mouth Cancer Foundation (MCF), Oral Cancer Foundation (OCF), Support for People with Oral and Head and Neck Cancer (SPOHNC) and Yul Brynner Head and Neck Cancer Foundation have all recently agreed to collaborate, following discussions centered on an initiative at the first congress of the International Academy of Oral Oncology (IAOO) in 2007. It is proposed that 2010 be an inaugural international consortium year for a joint event to increase awareness, offer counseling and improve efforts at prevention and early diagnosis of head and neck cancers. A specific day and date will be identified as a “Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Day” worldwide.

This proposal includes a decision to approach the International Academy of Oral Oncology (IAOO), International Conference on Head and Neck Cancer and International Federation of Head and Neck Oncologic Societies (IFHNOS) for collaboration on this project.