While there are over 400 new head and neck cancer cases in Ireland each year, and three Irish people die from these cancers every week, this disease is relatively unknown.

In Ireland, head and neck cancer represents approximately 4% of cancer patients (registrations) and is responsible for 1.5% (or 150) of cancer deaths each year. “It kills more people than malignant melanoma, Hodgkins’ disease or cervical cancer,” says Dr Eleanor O’Sullivan of the Cork University Dental School and Hospital, “and yet it has a low profile among the general public and even among health care providers although it is the sixth most common cancer world-wide.”

An educational event will be held in the foyer of the Cork University Dental School and Hospital with stands by Smoking Cessation HSE, Alcohol Awareness HSE, Aging Face Interactive Display, MHNCAI, and trade stands related to the event. This event has the full support of the Irish Cancer Society and the Dental Health Foundation.

Picture: Ms Deirdre Clune TD (sitting) who launched the information leaflet with Dr Eleanor O’Sullivan and students Sinéad O'Dwyer and Éamon Nugent from the Cork  University Dental Hospital.

RMcD