Alcohol linked to mouth cancer

18/11/05 Alcohol is contributing to a steep rise in mouth cancer cases in the UK. But few people are aware that it is a risk factor for the disease, according to a new Cancer Research UK survey.

Cases of mouth cancer have risen by a quarter over the past 10 years – from 3411 in 1992 to 4285 in 2001. While smoking rates have fallen in recent years, alcohol consumption has risen sharply.

The major risk factors for mouth cancer are smoking or chewing tobacco and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol. Smoking and drinking are together estimated to cause more than 75 per cent of mouth cancer cases in developed countries.

But while three quarters of people asked about the causes of mouth cancer were able to name smoking, only one fifth mentioned alcohol.

Cancer Research UK has launched its new three-year 'Open Up to Mouth Cancer' campaign, with funding from the Department of Health. Open Up to Mouth Cancer aims to raise awareness of the early signs and risk factors for mouth cancer, and is part of the charity's Reduce the Risk campaign.

Sara Hiom, Head of Health Information at Cancer Research UK, says: "Mouth cancer is on the increase, and kills more people in the UK than cervical cancer and testicular cancer put together.

The most common signs of mouth cancer are sores, ulcers, red or white patches and unexplained pain in the mouth or ear. Less common signs include a lump in the neck, a persistent sore throat or difficulty swallowing.