Men over 65 face highest risk of little-known cancer that is often diagnosed late
One type of cancer is most common in men over the age of 65, and it is too often diagnosed late due to a lack of awareness. In fact, you've probably never heard of this type of cancer that sees around 12,700 diagnoses in the UK each year, 70 per cent of which are in men.
The Medical Negligence team for legal firm Simpson's Millar is urging older men to be aware of head and neck cancer, that sees over half of its cases (53 per cent) diagnosed late. Delayed diagnosis leads to more invasive treatment and a lower survival rate for this cancer that is 2.8 times more likely to affect men aged 65 - 69 than women of the same age.
Head and neck cancer affects the throat, nose and mouth, and its symptoms can often be brushed off or ignored. This is why awareness of this little-known disease is so important.
Kate McCue, Senior Associate Medical Negligence Solicitor at Simpson Millar, explains: 'Head and neck cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer we see, which makes awareness all the more important.
'Many of the risks such as smoking, alcohol use, and HPV are well understood, yet the public conversation around them is still far too limited. With better education, more people could take steps to reduce their risk, and crucially, spot early warning signs before the disease progresses.
'When cancer is caught early, the outcomes are often significantly better as it can mean simpler treatment, less disruption to the day-to-day life, and a better chance of recovery.'
When caught early, head and neck cancer has a survival rate of up to 80 per cent. But if diagnosed late, the chances of survival can drop to just 20 per cent, so knowing how to spot the signs is crucial.
Symptoms of head and neck cancer
Older men should watch for the following symptoms:
Mouth ulcers or sores that haven't healed after three weeks
A persistent sore throat or hoarseness
A lump in the neck, lip or mouth
Difficulty or pain when chewing or swallowing
Loose teeth or dentures that no longer fit
Earache, facial pain or numbness
Speech changes or unexplained weight loss
Making healthier lifestyle choices, such as stopping smoking, drinking less, exercising regularly and opting for a balanced diet can reduce the risks of head and neck cancer.
Risk factors for head and neck cancer
While men over 65 have the biggest risk of developing the condition, certain lifestyle choices and other health factors can also increase the chances that an individual will develop head and neck cancer.
Cancer Research shares an extensive list of the risk factors for head and neck cancer on their website.
These include:
Age and sex (men over 65 being at the highest risk)
Smoking
Drinking alcohol
Infections including HPV, EBV and HIV or AIDS
Autoimmune conditions
Those who have had organ transplants
High processed meat intake
Those who have previously had cancer
Those with a family history of cancer
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
5 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Officials urge those who left school without lifesaving vaccine to get protected
It comes amid warnings that more than 418,000 children have left school with no protection against human papillomavirus (HPV) in the last three years. The HPV vaccine is offered to boys and girls when they are in Year 8 and is key to wiping out cervical cancer in the UK. Around 13 high-risk types of HPV are known to cause 99.7% of cervical cancers. The jab also protects against genital warts and head and neck cancers, such as those in the mouth or throat. Now, GP practices in England will invite 16 to 25-year-olds to have the vaccine if records show they did not have it in school. According to NHS England, more than 418,000 children left school without having the jab in the last three years, with concerns there are many more people aged 16 to 25 who are not protected. Dr Amanda Doyle, national director of primary care and community services, said: 'This vaccine is hugely important in our fight to eradicate cervical cancer but it isn't just for girls and women – it's also vital for boys and men to get vaccinated to protect themselves against cancers of the mouth, throat or genitals, while preventing spreading the HPV infection to sexual partners who could then develop cervical cancer. 'Too many lives are lost to cervical cancer so the hard work of NHS staff across the country in vaccinating and screening as many people as possible will help us to meet our ambition of wiping out this disease. 'Encouraging progress has been made recently in increasing uptake but we know there is much more to do. 'So if you're eligible for a HPV vaccination or are the parent of a child who is eligible, but didn't get the vaccine at school when they had the chance, I would urge you to come forward when your GP contacts you. 'Only a single dose is required and it could save you or your child's life.' Data shows that in the 2023/24 academic year, some 76.7% of girls and 71.2% of boys aged 14 to 15 were vaccinated against HPV by Year 10. Uptake in Year 8 increased to 72.9% among girls and 67.7% among boys, from 71.3% and 65.2% respectively a year earlier. The health service will aim to boost uptake among girls to 90% as part of plans to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040. It will also aim to increase the number of women attending cervical cancer screening appointments. Public health minister Ashley Dalton said the vaccine 'is our most powerful tool in our fight to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040' but said there is a 'long way to go'. 'Thousands of young people are still unvaccinated and vulnerable to this disease – which is so easily prevented,' she added. Last month, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warned young women in some parts of England are at greater risk of cervical cancer because not enough children are getting the jab. Analysis by the agency showed inequalities in vaccine uptake in some regions – by Year 10, HPV coverage in girls was lowest in London (64.9%) and highest in the South East (82.7%). Among boys, it was also lowest in London (58.9%) and highest in the South East (77.3%). Meanwhile, at local authority level, Year 10 vaccination levels in girls ranged from 38.7% (Lambeth in London) to 97.6% (Northumberland). Among boys, it ranged from 28.2% (Lambeth in London) to 92.2% (West Berkshire). Dr Sharif Ismail, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: 'We know that uptake of the HPV vaccination in young people has fallen significantly since the pandemic, leaving many, many thousands across the country at greater risk of HPV-related cancers. 'This is a real concern as each HPV vaccine, now just a single dose offered in schools, gives a young person good protection against the devastating impact of these cancers, which includes cervical, genital, mouth and throat cancers. 'This new catch-up campaign is a really important opportunity for us to make sure that no teenage girl or boy, young woman or man is denied that protection.'
Leader Live
7 hours ago
- Leader Live
Officials urge those who left school without lifesaving vaccine to get protected
It comes amid warnings that more than 418,000 children have left school with no protection against human papillomavirus (HPV) in the last three years. The HPV vaccine is offered to boys and girls when they are in Year 8 and is key to wiping out cervical cancer in the UK. Around 13 high-risk types of HPV are known to cause 99.7% of cervical cancers. The jab also protects against genital warts and head and neck cancers, such as those in the mouth or throat. Now, GP practices in England will invite 16 to 25-year-olds to have the vaccine if records show they did not have it in school. According to NHS England, more than 418,000 children left school without having the jab in the last three years, with concerns there are many more people aged 16 to 25 who are not protected. Dr Amanda Doyle, national director of primary care and community services, said: 'This vaccine is hugely important in our fight to eradicate cervical cancer but it isn't just for girls and women – it's also vital for boys and men to get vaccinated to protect themselves against cancers of the mouth, throat or genitals, while preventing spreading the HPV infection to sexual partners who could then develop cervical cancer. 'Too many lives are lost to cervical cancer so the hard work of NHS staff across the country in vaccinating and screening as many people as possible will help us to meet our ambition of wiping out this disease. 'Encouraging progress has been made recently in increasing uptake but we know there is much more to do. 'So if you're eligible for a HPV vaccination or are the parent of a child who is eligible, but didn't get the vaccine at school when they had the chance, I would urge you to come forward when your GP contacts you. 'Only a single dose is required and it could save you or your child's life.' Data shows that in the 2023/24 academic year, some 76.7% of girls and 71.2% of boys aged 14 to 15 were vaccinated against HPV by Year 10. Uptake in Year 8 increased to 72.9% among girls and 67.7% among boys, from 71.3% and 65.2% respectively a year earlier. The health service will aim to boost uptake among girls to 90% as part of plans to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040. It will also aim to increase the number of women attending cervical cancer screening appointments. Public health minister Ashley Dalton said the vaccine 'is our most powerful tool in our fight to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040' but said there is a 'long way to go'. 'Thousands of young people are still unvaccinated and vulnerable to this disease – which is so easily prevented,' she added. Last month, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warned young women in some parts of England are at greater risk of cervical cancer because not enough children are getting the jab. Analysis by the agency showed inequalities in vaccine uptake in some regions – by Year 10, HPV coverage in girls was lowest in London (64.9%) and highest in the South East (82.7%). Among boys, it was also lowest in London (58.9%) and highest in the South East (77.3%). Meanwhile, at local authority level, Year 10 vaccination levels in girls ranged from 38.7% (Lambeth in London) to 97.6% (Northumberland). Among boys, it ranged from 28.2% (Lambeth in London) to 92.2% (West Berkshire). Dr Sharif Ismail, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: 'We know that uptake of the HPV vaccination in young people has fallen significantly since the pandemic, leaving many, many thousands across the country at greater risk of HPV-related cancers. 'This is a real concern as each HPV vaccine, now just a single dose offered in schools, gives a young person good protection against the devastating impact of these cancers, which includes cervical, genital, mouth and throat cancers. 'This new catch-up campaign is a really important opportunity for us to make sure that no teenage girl or boy, young woman or man is denied that protection.'
Rhyl Journal
7 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Officials urge those who left school without lifesaving vaccine to get protected
It comes amid warnings that more than 418,000 children have left school with no protection against human papillomavirus (HPV) in the last three years. The HPV vaccine is offered to boys and girls when they are in Year 8 and is key to wiping out cervical cancer in the UK. Around 13 high-risk types of HPV are known to cause 99.7% of cervical cancers. The jab also protects against genital warts and head and neck cancers, such as those in the mouth or throat. Now, GP practices in England will invite 16 to 25-year-olds to have the vaccine if records show they did not have it in school. According to NHS England, more than 418,000 children left school without having the jab in the last three years, with concerns there are many more people aged 16 to 25 who are not protected. Dr Amanda Doyle, national director of primary care and community services, said: 'This vaccine is hugely important in our fight to eradicate cervical cancer but it isn't just for girls and women – it's also vital for boys and men to get vaccinated to protect themselves against cancers of the mouth, throat or genitals, while preventing spreading the HPV infection to sexual partners who could then develop cervical cancer. 'Too many lives are lost to cervical cancer so the hard work of NHS staff across the country in vaccinating and screening as many people as possible will help us to meet our ambition of wiping out this disease. 'Encouraging progress has been made recently in increasing uptake but we know there is much more to do. 'So if you're eligible for a HPV vaccination or are the parent of a child who is eligible, but didn't get the vaccine at school when they had the chance, I would urge you to come forward when your GP contacts you. 'Only a single dose is required and it could save you or your child's life.' Data shows that in the 2023/24 academic year, some 76.7% of girls and 71.2% of boys aged 14 to 15 were vaccinated against HPV by Year 10. Uptake in Year 8 increased to 72.9% among girls and 67.7% among boys, from 71.3% and 65.2% respectively a year earlier. The health service will aim to boost uptake among girls to 90% as part of plans to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040. It will also aim to increase the number of women attending cervical cancer screening appointments. Public health minister Ashley Dalton said the vaccine 'is our most powerful tool in our fight to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040' but said there is a 'long way to go'. 'Thousands of young people are still unvaccinated and vulnerable to this disease – which is so easily prevented,' she added. Last month, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warned young women in some parts of England are at greater risk of cervical cancer because not enough children are getting the jab. Analysis by the agency showed inequalities in vaccine uptake in some regions – by Year 10, HPV coverage in girls was lowest in London (64.9%) and highest in the South East (82.7%). Among boys, it was also lowest in London (58.9%) and highest in the South East (77.3%). Meanwhile, at local authority level, Year 10 vaccination levels in girls ranged from 38.7% (Lambeth in London) to 97.6% (Northumberland). Among boys, it ranged from 28.2% (Lambeth in London) to 92.2% (West Berkshire). Dr Sharif Ismail, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: 'We know that uptake of the HPV vaccination in young people has fallen significantly since the pandemic, leaving many, many thousands across the country at greater risk of HPV-related cancers. 'This is a real concern as each HPV vaccine, now just a single dose offered in schools, gives a young person good protection against the devastating impact of these cancers, which includes cervical, genital, mouth and throat cancers. 'This new catch-up campaign is a really important opportunity for us to make sure that no teenage girl or boy, young woman or man is denied that protection.'
