About Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month

Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month takes place every April across the United States, drawing attention to cancers that develop in the mouth, throat, larynx, sinuses, and salivary glands. Led by organisations including the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS), the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance, and the Oral Cancer Foundation, this month-long campaign promotes early detection, HPV awareness, and access to screening.

What is Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month?

Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month is a nationally recognised health observance dedicated to educating the public about cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, nasal cavity, sinuses, and salivary glands. The campaign is supported by a coalition of medical organisations, cancer charities, and healthcare providers who work together to promote screening programmes, share information about risk factors, and advocate for research funding. The month also highlights the growing link between human papillomavirus (HPV) and oropharyngeal cancers, a connection that has shifted the demographic profile of these diseases significantly over the past two decades.

When is Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month?

Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month is observed throughout the entire month of April each year. In 2026, it runs from Wednesday, 1 April to Thursday, 30 April. Within this month, Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week is observed during the week of 13-17 April 2026, when the Head and Neck Cancer Foundation organises free walk-in oral cancer screening exams at locations across the United States.

Why Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month Matters

The American Cancer Society estimates approximately 60,480 new cases of oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer in 2026, with around 13,150 deaths expected from these cancers. These cancers are more than twice as common in men as in women, and the average age at diagnosis is 64. Perhaps most concerning is the rising trend: since the mid-2000s, incidence rates have increased by roughly 1% per year, driven largely by HPV-related cancers. HPV is now thought to cause 60% to 70% of oropharyngeal cancers in the United States, making HPV-related head and neck cancers more common than HPV-related cervical cancers.

Head and neck cancers rank sixth among the most prevalent cancers in the United States, and roughly 50% of current diagnoses are considered late stage. Early detection is critical — when caught early, these cancers are far more treatable. This makes awareness campaigns and free screening programmes genuinely life-saving initiatives. If you are also looking for cancer-related awareness events, Bowel Cancer Awareness Month takes place throughout April as well.

How to Get Involved in Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month

There are many practical ways to support this important cause throughout April:

• Attend a free screening — During Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week (13-17 April), the Head and Neck Cancer Foundation hosts free walk-in oral cancer screening exams at over 60 dental and oral surgery offices across 19 states. The non-invasive examination takes just a few minutes and requires no appointment, insurance, or pre-registration.
• Learn the warning signs — Familiarise yourself with common symptoms such as persistent sore throat, difficulty swallowing, a lump in the neck, hoarseness lasting more than two weeks, or a sore in the mouth that does not heal. Early recognition can be the difference between a straightforward treatment and a complex one.
• Share information about HPV and cancer — Many people remain unaware of the strong link between HPV and oropharyngeal cancers. Share credible information from organisations like the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance or the Oral Cancer Foundation with your networks.
• Discuss HPV vaccination with your GP — The HPV vaccine can prevent the types of HPV infection that cause most HPV-related cancers. Talk to your healthcare provider about vaccination for yourself or your children.
• Wear burgundy and ivory — The official awareness colours for head and neck cancer are burgundy and ivory. Wearing these colours throughout April signals your support and can prompt conversations about the cause.
• Support cancer research charities — Donate to or fundraise for organisations like the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance, the Oral Cancer Foundation, or the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), all of which fund vital research and patient support programmes.
• Schedule a dental check-up — Routine dental examinations often include an oral cancer screening. If you have not had a dental visit recently, April is an ideal time to book one.

History of Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month

The designation of April as Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month emerged from the efforts of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) and allied organisations. The AAO-HNS, founded in 1896 and representing more than 12,000 physicians who specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the ears, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck, has been at the forefront of public education about these cancers for decades.

The awareness month gained additional momentum with the establishment of the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance (formerly the Yul Brynner Head and Neck Cancer Foundation, named after the famous actor who died of lung cancer in 1985) and its partnership with the Oral Cancer Foundation. Together, these organisations expanded public screening programmes and educational campaigns.

In recent years, the focus has shifted significantly toward HPV-related head and neck cancers. As research revealed that HPV was responsible for a growing proportion of oropharyngeal cancers — particularly among younger, non-smoking patients — awareness efforts evolved to include HPV education and vaccination advocacy alongside traditional risk factor messaging about tobacco and alcohol use.

Noteworthy Facts About Head and Neck Cancer

• Approximately 750,000 people worldwide are diagnosed with head and neck cancer annually, with around 60,000 of those cases occurring in the United States.
• HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancers have surpassed HPV-related cervical cancers in incidence in the United States.
• About 10% of men and 3.6% of women in the US have oral HPV, the primary pathway to HPV-related throat cancer.
• The five-year survival rate for oral cavity and pharynx cancers detected at an early stage is approximately 86%, compared to just 40% when diagnosed at a late stage.
• Tobacco use (including smoking and smokeless tobacco) and heavy alcohol consumption remain the leading risk factors for non-HPV-related head and neck cancers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month?

Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month is an annual April campaign to raise awareness about cancers affecting the mouth, throat, larynx, sinuses, and salivary glands. It promotes early detection through screening, educates the public about risk factors including HPV, and supports patients and research.

When is Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month in 2026?

Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month runs throughout April 2026, from Wednesday, 1 April to Thursday, 30 April. Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week takes place from 13 to 17 April 2026.

What are the first signs of head and neck cancer?

Common early signs include a persistent sore throat, difficulty swallowing, a lump or swelling in the neck, hoarseness lasting more than two weeks, unexplained ear pain, a white or red patch inside the mouth, or a mouth sore that does not heal within two to three weeks. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should consult a doctor promptly.

Spread the Word

Help raise awareness by sharing Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month with your friends, family, and followers. Use the hashtags #HeadAndNeckCancer and #HNCMonth2026 on social media. The more people who know about the importance of early screening and HPV vaccination, the more lives can be saved.

Related Awareness Days

• Bowel Cancer Awareness Month — Also observed in April, this month raises awareness of bowel cancer symptoms, screening, and prevention across the UK.
• Skin Cancer Awareness Month — Held each May, this campaign highlights the importance of sun safety and early detection of skin cancers.
• Testicular Cancer Awareness Week — Observed in early April in the UK, promoting self-examination and early detection among young men.

Links

• Visit the AAO-HNS Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month page
• Head and Neck Cancer Alliance
• Oral Cancer Foundation
• Explore more awareness days at AwarenessDays.com

Upcoming Awareness Days

2 AprNational Burrito Day

2 AprWorld Autism Acceptance Week 2026

2 AprWorld Autism Awareness Day 2026

2 AprNational Peanut Butter and Jelly Day 2026

2 AprInternational Children’s Book Day 2026

2 AprPassover (Pesach) 2026