Head and neck cancer statistics

Statistics for oral cavity cancer are not reported separately but are included in the general category head and neck cancer. This broad category includes oral cavity cancer and similar cancers together. So the numbers do not necessarily show the new cases (incidence) and deaths (mortality) specifically for oral cavity cancer.

To provide the most current cancer statistics, statistical methods are used to estimate the number of new cancer cases and deaths until actual data become available.

Incidence is the total number of new cases of cancer. Mortality is the number of deaths due to cancer.

Cancer statistics are currently collected, analyzed and reported based on the sex assigned at birth, with male/men and female/women categories. We need to address gaps in how statistics are collected to better understand cancer in transgender, non-binary and gender-diverse people.

It is estimated that in 2024:

• 8,100 Canadians will be diagnosed with head and neck cancer.
• 2,100 Canadians will die from head and neck cancer.
• 5,800 men will be diagnosed with head and neck cancer and 1,550 will die from it.
• 2,300 women will be diagnosed with head and neck cancer and 590 will die from it.

For more information about cancer statistics, go to Canadian Cancer Statistics.