Some 3,400 new cases occur in the UK each year and 1,600 die from the disease. It's important that doctors and pharmacists are aware of what to look for, as they often get asked about sores in the mouth. He said that even experienced dentists might see only a handful of cases in their careers. The warning signs of oral cancer are a sore that does not clear up, even after a few weeks, although most of these will prove harmless. Although the main risk factor is smoking, another is drinking to excess - even going slightly above the government's recommended limits increases the risk.
Most men can drink three to four units a day without risk to health, most women two to three.
If men consistently drink four or more units a day, the health risks start to accumulate. The same goes for women who consistently drink three or more units a day. One unit is equivalent to half a pint of normal strength beer, a glass of wine or a measure of spirits. However, Dr Craig warned that people who both smoke and drink heavily are increasing the risk by as much as 40 times. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.