2 Minutes to Save Your Life: Oracle Launches HeadNeckCheck Campaign for Make Sense Week
This Make Sense Week (15-20 September), the European-wide head and neck cancer awareness initiative, Oracle Head & Neck Cancer UK, is championing both prevention and early detection – recognising that stopping cancer before it starts is just as vital as catching it early.
Two Ways to Fight Cancer This Week
Prevention Today: Head and neck cancers are now the largest group of HPV-linked cancers in the UK. We can prevent thousands of future cases through better HPV vaccination coverage, but the NHS Cancer Plan is being finalised right now. That’s why we’re urging everyone to contact their MP this week – your voice could help prevent 100,000+ cancers by 2058.
Early Detection Tomorrow: For those at risk today, we’re teaching the HeadNeckCheck – a simple skill that could save your life.
What is the HeadNeckCheck?
The HeadNeckCheck is a 6-step self-examination that takes just 2 minutes using only a mirror and your hands. No special equipment, no medical knowledge required – just you taking charge of your health.
Build it into your daily routine while brushing teeth, shaving or moisturising. Think of it as a quick health check-in that could catch something early when it matters most.
Why This Matters Now
The statistics are sobering:
- 17,000 people are diagnosed with head and neck cancers yearly in the UK
- Over 50% are diagnosed late, when survival chances drop dramatically
- Cases are rising 30% every decade
Late diagnosis doesn’t just affect survival rates – it means more invasive treatments, longer recovery times, and greater impact on quality of life. But early detection changes everything.
Celebrity Support
Join celebrity supporters Mark Steel and Jordan Wylie, who are demonstrating the HeadNeckCheck in new videos launching throughout the week – showing it really does take just 2 minutes.
Take Action This Week
1. Contact Your MP Help prevent future cancers by emailing your MP about comprehensive HPV vaccination in the NHS Cancer Plan. The plan is being finalised now – your voice matters. We’ve made it easy with a template message.
2. Learn the HeadNeckCheck Visit www.headneckcheck.com for our step-by-step guide. Make it your new monthly habit.
3. Spread the Word Share our videos and use #HeadNeckCheck to help others learn this life-saving skill.
4. Support Our Work Your donation helps us reach more people with vital awareness campaigns. Every pound counts in our fight against head and neck cancer.
Join the Movement
Make Sense Week is about more than awareness – it’s about action. By contacting your MP, you’re protecting future generations from preventable cancers. By taking 2 minutes to check yourself regularly, you’re taking control of your health today. By sharing this message, you could help someone catch cancer early when treatment is most effective.
Remember: prevention and early detection save lives. Your actions this week really could make all the difference.
Leadership update
After four successful years as CEO, Tamara Kahn has transformed Oracle into a respected national voice for head and neck cancer patients. She established a national presence, created a four-pillar RACE strategy (Research, Awareness, Collaboration and Patient/Community Engagement) and built strong policy influence. With these foundations now firmly in place, Tamara will transition from her…
Finding Light in Adversity: Seven inspiring stories through head and neck cancer
A new collection of patient stories from Oracle Head and Neck Cancer UK reveals how individuals facing head and neck cancer have discovered unexpected sources of strength, purpose and even joy during their treatment and recovery. The seven contributors share remarkably similar themes despite their unique journeys. Almost all emphasise the power of maintaining a…
NHS to fast-track patients with head and neck cancer into cancer vaccine trial
Patients with advanced head and neck cancers in England will be fast-tracked into a trial of a new cancer vaccine, as the NHS expands its world-leading trial ‘match-making’ service. The investigational cancer vaccine uses mRNA technology to help the immune system recognise and kill cancer cells containing human papillomavirus proteins. More than 100 patients with advanced head…
World Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Day 2025: The HPV Vaccine Could Save Your Life
27th July 2025 This World Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Day, Oracle Head and Neck Cancer UK has a simple but urgent message: HPV vaccination saves lives. With HPV-related head and neck cancers having doubled in the past 20 years, the charity is using today to remind the public that these devastating cancers are preventable…
Data from the National Disease Registration Service on HPV associated and HPV independent oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma
The Get Data Out Programme from the National Disease Registration Service (NDRS), part of NHS England, has published statistics on incidence, routes to diagnosis and treatment for patients diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancer in England by human papillomavirus (HPV) status. To our knowledge this is the first time data on oropharyngeal cancer by HPV status has…
Join Us for an Evening of Research, Impact, and Conversation
Research & Impact EveningDate: Monday 28th April 2025Time: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PMVenue: Skyline, Tower Suites, 100 Minories, London EC3N 1JY A Celebration of Research Join us for a meaningful and action-focused evening where we’ll be diving into some of the big conversations around head and neck cancer – especially those linked to HPV (human…
What the Rare Cancers Bill Means for Head & Neck Cancer
14 March marked a crucial moment for research into rare cancers, as the Rare Cancers Bill took another significant step toward becoming law! Dr. Scott Arthur, a Labour MP, introduced this legislation in Parliament to drive much-needed research into cancers affecting fewer than 1 in 2000 people in the UK – including many types of…
Theatre Meets Healthcare: Breaking Barriers in Cancer Conversations
In Leicester, theatre is transforming how Black communities talk about cancer. Oracle Head & Neck Cancer UK, alongside Theatre Sans Frontières, is using interactive Forum Theatre to tackle stigma, improve healthcare conversations, and break down cultural barriers. Actors bring real-life cancer diagnosis experiences to the stage – but the audience isn’t just watching. They step in, suggest changes, and…
Jamie Theakston Announces He is Cancer-Free After Laryngeal Cancer Treatment
Heart Breakfast’s much-loved presenter, Jamie Theakston, has shared the incredible news that he is now cancer free! After completing treatment for stage one laryngeal cancer – cancer of the voice box (larynx), Jamie made his highly anticipated return to the airwaves today, reuniting with listeners and co-hosts alike. Diagnosed in September 2024, Jamie initially thought…
Help Beat Head and Neck Cancer
Oracle Head & Neck Cancer UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1142037), and in Scotland (SC052790).
Registered as a company limited by guarantee in England and Wales (7125497). Registered address: 80 Coombe Road, New Malden KT3 4QS.