To ask the Minister of Health for his assessment of the increasing proportion of oral cancer patients first attending health services with late stage cancers.

Northern Ireland Cancer Registry (NICR) advise that between 2014 and 2018, an average of 246 people in Northern Ireland were diagnosed with oral cancer annually. Many are diagnosed at a late stage, with 98 people dying annually from the disease. During the pandemic, access to dental services, combined with self-isolation for a significant number of the population may also have contributed to an increase in late presentations. Prior to the pandemic, NICR predicted that the number of cases will double by 2035, with cases rising particularly among the younger population.

In 2020 Departmental officials established November as ‘Mouth Cancer month’ and ran awareness campaigns encouraging individuals to be aware of the early signs of oral cancer, visit their dentist regularly and seek help, should they have any concerns.

In addition it is envisaged that oral cancer recommendations will be included in the upcoming Cancer Strategy, identifying primary school education sessions and routine dentist check-ups as important roles as key prevention tools.