The UK Government must strengthen action on tobacco, alcohol and HPV vaccination as mouth cancer diagnoses in England rise by 40% in a decade, the Oral Health Foundation has warned.
Its new report, released today, calls for funded support to stop using tobacco, minimum unit pricing and cancer warnings on alcohol in England, and catch-up HPV vaccination for young people who have missed out.
The charity also demands better access to NHS dentistry so people at higher risk can receive advice and have worrying changes checked promptly.
NHS England figures show 9,673 mouth cancer cases were diagnosed in 2024, compared with 6,908 in 2014. Across the UK, 3,650 people died from the disease in 2024 – equivalent to ten deaths a day.
Published during November’s Mouth Cancer Action Month, Tobacco, Alcohol, HPV: Closing the Risk Factor Gap sets out 11 priorities covering prevention, earlier diagnosis and support after treatment.
Dr Rachael England, Head of Policy and Advocacy at the Oral Health Foundation, said: “Rising mouth cancer cases demand stronger action on tobacco, alcohol and HPV. Telling people about the risks is not enough if they cannot get the support they need.
“People need practical help to stop using tobacco, stronger alcohol policies and accessible HPV vaccination. They also need timely access to a dentist or doctor when they notice a worrying change in their mouth.
“If we fail to act, we risk more preventable cancers and more people waiting too long for a diagnosis. The Government must make prevention and early diagnosis a priority, backed by sustained funding and services people can actually access.”
The report calls for sustained stop-smoking funding, clear referral routes and stronger tobacco controls. It also recommends support developed with South Asian communities for people using smokeless tobacco.
The report also highlights England’s failure to update its alcohol strategy since 2012 and calls for a new strategy that tackles cancer risk, introduces minimum unit pricing and sets a timetable for alcohol labels carrying cancer warnings and drinking guidelines.
Dr Giota Mitrou, Executive Director of Research and Policy at World Cancer Research Fund International, said: “The urgent need for Government action to tackle rising rates of mouth cancer in the UK is undeniable. Prevention is better than cure and must be a focus.
“Whilst welcome progress has been made on smoking, action on alcohol continues to lag far behind. With alcohol linked to over a third of mouth cancer cases in the UK, this is unacceptable.
“The Government’s commitment to introduce mandatory alcohol labels with health warnings and nutritional information is an important first step, but progress has been slow. Mouth Cancer Action Month is a timely reminder of why we need cancer warnings on alcohol labels without further delay.”
The report also warns of missed opportunities to prevent HPV-related cancers, with more than a quarter of Year 8 girls and a third of boys in England not vaccinated against HPV in 2024/25.
It calls for catch-up vaccination and targeted action in areas with the lowest uptake. The vaccine protects against HPV infections that can later cause cancers, including cancers of the throat behind the mouth.
The report urges routine mouth checks for higher-risk adults, greater transparency on referral delays and a named government lead for mouth cancer prevention.
To help address gaps between primary care and hospital services, the Oral Health Foundation, Faculty of Dental Surgery, British Dental Association and British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons are working together to improve referral routes and coordination for patients with suspected mouth cancer.
The charity says dental teams are central to this process, yet the report found that fewer than half of adults knew their dentist checks for mouth cancer during a routine examination.
Dr Neil Sikka, Director of Dentistry at Bupa Dental Care, adds: “While many people have heard of mouth cancer, far fewer know what signs to look for, regularly check their mouth or realise that dentists routinely screen for mouth cancer as part of a dental examination.
“Dental teams are uniquely placed to identify changes in the mouth, often before patients notice them themselves. That’s why regular dental check-ups remain so important, alongside being familiar with what is normal for your own mouth.
“Symptoms such as an ulcer that doesn’t heal, a red or white patch, or a lump or swelling that persists should never be ignored. Seeking advice early can make a significant difference and help ensure concerns are investigated as soon as possible.”
The report was funded by Bupa Dental Care and endorsed by Oracle Head & Neck Cancer UK, the Mouth Cancer Foundation and The Swallows.
Read the report at www.dentalhealth.org/mouth-cancer-risk-report
