ENT Liu Knowledge Base Head & neck tumours · physician reviewed
Lip Cancer · Understanding the disease

Why is lip cancer so prominent in Australia and New Zealand?

Reviewed: 8 November 2026 By: Xiangpeng Liu, MD Topic: Lip Cancer Answer length: short, citable
Quick answer

High ambient ultraviolet radiation, a largely fair-skinned population and a history of outdoor work and recreation combine to produce one of the world’s highest lip cancer burdens. Lip cancer represents 20.5% of Australia/New Zealand lip/oral/pharyngeal cancers and historically accounted for over a third of Australian oral-region cancers.

In detail

Rates have declined since the 1990s in parallel with sun-protection campaigns, while HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer has risen — a clear example of how prevention changes the mix of head and neck tumours in a country.

What this means in practice: this answer is part of the “Understanding the disease” section of the Lip Cancer topic. If you are comparing treatment options, also read how to compare a second opinion and which records to send.

Other common questions about lip cancer

See all 14 questions in this topic →

Sources for this answer

  1. Trends of lip, oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers in Australia 1982–2008 BMC Cancer · 2013 · Lip cancer was the dominant oral-region subsite in Australia; strongly UV-related.
  2. Global incidence of lip, oral cavity, and pharyngeal cancers by subsite in 2022 CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians · 2026 · Subsite-level estimates for 185 countries; the basis of the regional atlas on this site.

Written and medically reviewed by Xiangpeng Liu, MD

Associate Chief Physician, ENT & Head/Neck Surgery · Chenzhou First People’s Hospital, Chenzhou, Hunan, China

Editorial policy & reviewer credentials · All sources

← Previous questionWill surgery change the appearance or function of my lip? Next question →Are transplant recipients at higher risk of lip cancer?

Need an opinion on your own case?

International patients can request a preliminary review based on pathology and imaging before travelling to China.

How the pathway works Send an enquiry

Medical disclaimer: This knowledge base is general information for people researching head and neck tumours, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. It does not replace an examination by a qualified physician. Survival figures are population averages, not predictions for an individual. Treatment and cost estimates for China are illustrative only and must be confirmed in writing after your records have been reviewed. If you have a symptom lasting more than two to three weeks, see a doctor promptly.