Louisiana Oral Cancer Rates Climb Nearly 20%

Oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer incidence in Louisiana has grown since 2000, with Iberville Parish recording the state's highest rate.

Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Cancer

Moss-draped cypress trees rise from dark water in a still Louisiana bayou, with a weathered wooden pier running into reeds under a pale, humid sky. — Oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer incidence in Louisiana has risen nearly 20% since 2000, roughly double the national increase, with Iberville Parish recording the state's highest rate. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you think cancer rates are getting better or worse in your area?

Since 2000, the incidence rate for oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers has grown by nearly 20% in Louisiana, compared with nearly 10% across the U.S. Iberville Parish had the highest oral cavity and pharyngeal cancer incidence rate in the state.

Why it matters

The faster growth in Louisiana than nationally points to local risk factors that public health officials may need to address. Alcohol, tobacco and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection are among the most common causes linked to these cancers.

Louisiana's oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer incidence rose nearly 20% since 2000, against nearly 10% nationally, with Iberville Parish at 27.6 per 100,000 and Winn Parish at 24.1 per 100,000. Sixteen Louisiana parishes lacked significant data for 2019 to 2023, leaving parts of the state's trend unmeasured.

The players

American Cancer Society

A national nonprofit that publishes annual cancer statistics estimates and research on cancer incidence, prevention and survival.

The details

These cancers are most often diagnosed in men, who face them almost three times as often as women, with an average diagnosis age of 64. Oropharyngeal cancers can take many years to develop, and just over one in five cases occur in people younger than 55.

Since 2000: Louisiana oral cancer incidence rate grew nearly 20%.
Mid-2000s onward: National incidence rates have risen about 1% per year.
2019 to 2023: 16 Louisiana parishes lacked significant incidence data.
2026: The American Cancer Society estimates 60,480 new U.S. cases and 13,150 deaths.

Health Landscape

Oral and oropharyngeal cancer incidence has risen about 1% per year nationally since the mid-2000s, according to the American Cancer Society's annual cancer statistics. Louisiana's nearly 20% increase since 2000 outpaces that national trend, placing the state among the places where this rise is most pronounced.

Alcohol and tobacco use are among the most common risk factors for these cancers, so reducing either is a practical step for lowering personal risk. HPV infection is the most common cause of oropharyngeal cancers, and HPV vaccination is a practical consideration for reducing that risk.

The takeaway

Oral and oropharyngeal cancer rates are rising in Louisiana faster than nationally, and the cancers can develop over many years. Knowing the main risks, including alcohol, tobacco and HPV, gives readers a clear basis for prevention.