This study aims to investigate whether the there is a change in the incidence and mortality of oral and oropharyngeal cancer in the state of NSW between the period of 1996 and 2008, and to determine any associated changes to the risk factors previously identified or new.

Data on oral and oral pharyngeal cancer (ICD C01-­‐C06 and C09-­‐C14) incidence and mortality rates in NSW between the periods of 1996 to 2008 were requested from the NSW Cancer Council in June 2011. Statistical analyses were performed looking for differences between the male and female incidence as well as the trend of incidence and mortality of oral and oropharyngeal cancer. The rate of smoking and alcohol use in NSW were obtained from the NSW Adult Population Health Survey and graphed.

For incidence, females are 57% less likely to develop oral and oropharyngeal cancer then males (95% confidence interval from 59% to 65%). The incidence rate for the NSW population has stayed the same between1996 to 2008.

For mortality, females are 61% less likely to die of oral and oropharyngeal cancer than male (95% confidence interval from 58% to 64%). There is a 2.4% decrease in mortality rate yearly between the years of 1996 to 2008.

There is a declining trend in both alcohol and smoking consumption for male and female from 1996 to 2008. Risk factors such as HPV and betel nut use could not be obtained.

Further statistical analysis is needed to correlate the trend of smoking and alcohol consumption to the incidence and mortality of oral and oropharyngeal cancer. NSW cancer council needs to obtain vital information on the risk factors of oral and oropharyngeal cancer, specifically on the tumor HPV‐ status, to evaluate the changing trend of oral and oropharyngeal cancer in NSW.