The shifting age paradigm in oral tongue cancer incidence: Implications for public health policy and awareness programs

• Oral tongue cancer (OTC) incidence rates have markedly increased among non-Hispanic White females aged 50-59 years, contrasting with a stabilization in rates among younger populations, indicating evolving demographic risks that challenge existing prevention strategies. • These demographic trends necessitate a tailored approach in clinical practice, especially for older women, incorporating vigilant screening and preventive education on risk factors like HPV and lifestyle changes. • Public health programs must adapt by extending targeted screening and educational campaigns to older demographics, particularly older women, to address the heightened OTC incidence and shift the focus of traditional awareness programs. • There is a pressing need for continuous research into the causative factors of these shifting demographics and for advanced surveillance systems to track and adapt to these trends efficiently. • This manuscript advocates for the integration of these findings into both clinical and public health policy frameworks to effectively mitigate the rising burden of OTC, ensuring that health policies evolve in line with observed demographic and epidemiological shifts.