Mouth and throat cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the mouth or throat. It can develop on the tongue, lips, cheeks, gums, roof of the mouth, floor of the mouth, back of the mouth or throat.

There are two main causes of mouth and throat cancer: mouth and throat cancer caused by HPV and mouth and throat cancer caused by alcohol and commercial tobacco. Sun exposure can also cause cancer on the lips.

Mouth and throat cancer affects thousands of people in Canada every year. It can affect anyone, and rates have been rising in recent years.

The rate of HPV-related oropharyngeal (throat) cancer has increased by over 200 per cent in the last 20 years. This is now the most common type of cancer caused by HPV.

First Nations individuals may face unique challenges when accessing health care services due to the ongoing impacts of colonization, experiences of racism and discrimination, systemic barriers, and a history of harm within health systems. These factors can affect trust in the health care system and influence when and how people seek care or access services for the prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment of mouth and throat cancer. As a result, some individuals may receive a diagnosis at a later stage of disease, which can limit treatment options and affect health outcomes.

Strengthening prevention, improving access to culturally safe care and increasing awareness of mouth and throat cancer risks can help reduce these impacts and support healthier futures for First Nations communities.

These barriers are not the responsibility of individuals to overcome. First Nations clients can choose to ask questions, bring a support person or share what they need to feel safe — and health care providers have a responsibility to honour those needs.

Getting the HPV vaccine, reducing commercial tobacco and alcohol use and visiting your oral health professional regularly are meaningful steps that can lower your risk of mouth and throat cancer and help catch disease early. Use condoms and oral dams during sexual activity to help prevent the spread of HPV.

Anyone can develop mouth and throat cancer, but the risk is higher for people who have not received the HPV vaccine or were assigned male at birth, including cis men, trans women and some Two-Spirit, Indigiqueer, nonbinary and gender-diverse people.

Mouth and throat cancer can develop at any age, but it usually isn’t diagnosed until the ages of about 45 to 60 years old.

Some people have no symptoms of mouth and throat cancer. Common signs and symptoms may include white or red patches inside the mouth, a lump in the neck or under the jaw, difficulty swallowing, pain and/or unintended weight loss.

Finding mouth and throat cancer early greatly improves treatment outcomes. When mouth and throat cancer is detected in its early stages, it is easier to treat, less likely to spread and has a much higher chance of recovery. Early detection also helps prevent more serious complications that can affect speaking, eating and overall wellness.

HPV stands for human papillomavirus. It’s a common infection that can cause six types of cancer. This includes cancers of the mouth and throat, cervix, penis, anus, vulva and vagina. All genders and communities can be impacted by cancer caused by HPV.

HPV can lead to mouth and throat cancer when certain high-risk types of the virus infect the cells of the mouth and throat and cause changes over time. HPV is spread through close skin-to-skin contact and sexual activity.

The HPV vaccine is highly effective at preventing six types of cancer caused by HPV, including mouth and throat cancer. When given at a young age, studies show the HPV vaccine is over 95 per cent effective at preventing infection of the most common types of HPV that can cause cancer. The HPV vaccine also protects against infections that cause genital warts.

The HPV vaccine is for everyone and offers protection for all genders. Getting the HPV vaccine when you’re young protects against many cancers later in life.

The HPV vaccine is free in BC for:

• All youth ages 9–26;
• Adults ages 27-45 who are:
  • HIV positive;
  • Two-Spirit, transgender or non-binary;
  • Males who have sex with males, including those who may not yet be sexually active and
    are questioning their sexual orientation; and
  • People who were treated for abnormal changes to the cervix after a colposcopy on or after July 31, 2025.

The HPV vaccine is offered at school to students starting in grade six. You can also get the vaccine at community health centers, local clinics and pharmacies.

Visit fnha.ca/hpv for more information on HPV and the HPV vaccine.

Commercial tobacco and alcohol can both damage the cells inside the mouth and throat. Over time, this damage makes it easier for cancer to develop.

Yes. When commercial tobacco and alcohol are used together, they intensify each other’s effects. Alcohol helps the chemicals in tobacco enter the cells more easily, creating a much higher risk of mouth and throat cancer than either one alone.

No. Traditional tobacco use is not included in this risk. Only commercial tobacco is linked to a higher chance of developing mouth and throat cancer. Traditional or ceremonial tobacco used in many First Nations cultures is not the same as commercial tobacco. Traditional tobacco is used in specific cultural, spiritual, or ceremonial ways, and is not inhaled or used regularly. Because of this, it does not carry the same health risks as commercial tobacco.

Yes. Quitting or reducing commercial tobacco or alcohol does lower the risk of mouth and throat cancer. When you reduce or stop using these substances, the cells in the mouth and throat have a chance to heal, and the long-term damage that can lead to cancer decreases. The risk of mouth and throat cancer decreases within the first five years of quitting commercial tobacco. If someone who smoked has quit for 20 or more years, their risk is the same as someone who has never smoked.

Reducing or quitting commercial tobacco or alcohol is a powerful step toward lowering the risk of mouth and throat cancer. Even if you have been using commercial tobacco for many years, you can still improve your health by quitting today.

You can find support for reducing or quitting commercial tobacco through FNHA’s respecting tobacco support services.

Support to reduce alcohol use is available through FNHA’s alcohol and drug use services.

You can also speak to a health care provider about additional support services for reducing commercial tobacco or alcohol use.

Early detection is key for treating mouth and throat cancer. Many early signs can be difficult to detect and may not cause pain, making them easy to miss. Regular oral health check-ups can detect mouth and throat cancer early and improve treatment and overall health outcomes. If you notice any changes to your mouth, talk to your oral health provider.

Yes. Oral health professionals are trained to perform head and neck examinations to identify early signs of mouth and throat cancer. Ask your provider at each visit to include a mouth and throat cancer screening, or to check any areas in your mouth that feel new, different or concerning.

Eligible First Nations Health Benefits clients receive coverage for regular dental check-ups. The recommended frequency can vary based on your individual oral health needs, so talk to your oral health provider about how often you should be visiting.

A mouth and throat cancer screening usually takes 1–2 minutes and is often done during a regular dental check-up, including appointments with a hygienist or dental therapist. The oral health professional may visually inspect the mouth, and/or gently feel inside your mouth, along your face, and around your neck using light to medium pressure to check for any unusual lumps or changes.

They may ask you to move your tongue, say “ah,” or swallow so they can see different areas of your mouth and throat. Some providers may also use a special blue light device to help detect changes in the mouth.

If you have any questions about your dental plan, about how to access coverage, or need travel assistance to access your dental care, please call 1-855-550-5454.

Eligible clients of the First Nations Health Benefits dental plan, receive coverage for regular dental visits including dental examinations. Learn more at fnha.ca/benefits/dental.