Head and neck cancer is the 14th most common cause of cancer death in the UK, with around 4,700 deaths every year. Mortality rates are higher in males, making it the 9th most common cause of cancer death in this demographic.
View more detailed gender stats on our dashboard for head and neck cancer
Mortality rates for head and neck cancer in the UK are highest in people aged 90+, with around 5.6% of all head and neck cancer deaths occurring in this age group (2021-2023).
View more detailed age stats on our dashboard for head and neck cancer
Head and neck cancer mortality rates have remained stable in the UK since the early 1970s, and rates have increased by around a sixth (18%) in the last decade (2021-2023).
View more detailed trends stats on our dashboard for head and neck cancer
Head and neck cancer mortality rates in the UK are projected to increase by 11% between 2024-2026 and 2038-2040, with around 6,700 deaths each year by 2038-2040.
View more detailed projections stats on our dashboard for head and neck cancer
Mortality rates for mouth, laryx and upper GI cancer (which includes head and neck cancer) in the UK in females are 58% higher in the most deprived quintile compared with the least, and rates in males are 63% higher in the most deprived quintile compared with the least.
Around 3,900 deaths from mouth, laryx and upper GI cancer each year in the UK are linked with deprivation (around 1,200 in females, and around 2,700 in males).
View mortality by deprivation statistics and charts on our cancer statistics data hub
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