1. Position Summary
Oral cancers are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Screening for oral cancer should be part of any oral examination. Preventive programs encouraging oral cancer screening and risk minimisation are advocated.
2. Position
Inspection for oral cancer should include direct visualization and palpation of the mucosa of the oral cavity and external lip, as well as palpation of the head and neck lymph nodes and should occur annually as part of comprehensive examination.
All people, including the edentulous, should be encouraged and supported to have an annual oral cancer screening. with suspicious findings to follow an appropriate referral pathway
The development of public health programs to encourage regular annual screening for oral cancers should be supported, particularly for those who have difficulty accessing a dentist, such as residents in aged care facilities.
Education and programs aiming to reduce high-risk behaviours should be supported and promoted.
HPV vaccination should be actively promoted and supported as an essential measure to reduce the incidence of HPV-related oral and oropharyngeal cancers.
The Australian Government must ensure that survivors of head, neck, and oral cancers have access to rehabilitative and restorative oral health services that is consistent with the standards of survivorship care available for other cancers.
3. Background
Collectively head and neck cancers contribute to significant illness and death on a global scale. Incidence and death rates vary significantly between countries depending on the degree of socioeconomic development and different aetiologic associations.
In 2020, the World Health Organisation ranked lip and oral cavity cancer 16th among all cancers. If oropharyngeal cancers are included in the statistics, then oral cancer is ranked as the 13th most common cancer worldwide. The global incidence rate is higher for men than for women, and mortality rates for men are more than double that of women.
The Australian Institute for Health and Welfare estimated that in 2022 an Australian had a 1 in 252 (or 0.40%) risk of dying from head and neck (including lip) cancer by the age of 85.
This risk was approximately 3 times higher for men than women.
The Senate Committee into the Provision of and Access to Dental Services in Australia recommended that the Australian Government review the Medicare Benefits Schedule with a view to improving the accessibility of oral health treatment, including the restorative services for cancer survivors, including survivors of head, neck, and oral cancers.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus that is spread through sexual contact. It can cause cancers, including some head and neck cancers. Vaccination can protect against some strains of the virus.
Early detection of oral cancer and potentially malignant oral lesions can improve the clinical outcome for patients. Dentists are well-trained to identify such lesions. An oral cancer examination, as part of a comprehensive oral examination, takes only a short time.
Many cancers can be found early during routine oral exams by a dentist. It is recommended to have regular dental check-ups to detect changes in the mouth such as the development of white patches (leukoplakia), red patches (erythroplakia), pigmented patches, ulcers or lumps.
High risk factors for oral and oropharyngeal cancer include tobacco and alcohol use, betel quid chewing and chronic human papilloma virus (HPV) infection. Sun exposure is a high-risk factor for lip cancer1.
Patients with a previous history of head and neck cancer are also at a higher risk of developing another cancer.
4. Definitions
NA
5. Last review
September 2025
6. Next review due
September 2030
