Jump to full article: Electronic Telegraph (uk), 2003-11-09
Author: Michael Day, Health Correspondent
Intro: Binge drinking combined with smoking is causing oral cancer in men and women as young as 20, according to a new study.
The rise in heavy drinking and smoking among young people - particularly women - has led to a surge in the incidence of mouth cancer for people in their 20s and 30s, according to researchers from King's College London.
Scientists believe that tobacco smoke mixed with alcohol produces dangerous levels of cancer-causing chemicals that attack the lining of the mouth.
Oral cancer cases have risen by 17 per cent over the past four years - a faster rate than for any other major cancer. . . .
Professor Newell Johnson, a professor of oral pathology at King's College, said: "Our data show that smoking, drinking and poor diet are major risk factors, and that the younger people start smoking and drinking, the higher the risk."
Prof Johnson said that the proportion of younger people with the disease was growing not only in Britain but hroughout western Europe. He described the findings as "important public health information".
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