THE number of young women who develop mouth cancer from smoking and drinking is on the increase, a leading Bolton surgeon has warned.

Mr John Lowry said early detection is vital if survival rates are to be improved.

The surgeon, who heads the maxillofacial unit for Bolton, Blackburn and Burnley, said the area sees an average 40 mouth cancer patients a year.

Mr Lowry, head of dentistry at the Royal College of Surgeons, said: "The trend is increasing in younger women who regularly smoke. The risk is also increased if you mix smoking with large alcohol intake."

Traditionally, more men than women are prone to oral cancer. But this trend appears to be changing, Mr Lowry said.

Asian people who smoke or chew tobacco -- such as betel quid, paan or gutkha -- also face a greater risk of mouth cancer.

Mouth cancer sufferers have a 90 per cent chance of survival if the symptoms are caught in the early stages.

Those who delay seeking advice on persistent mouth conditions -- such as red or white patches, ulcers that last more than two weeks or general soreness -- risk reducing the chances of survival to 50 per cent.

Mr Lowry was speaking during the first national Mouth Cancer Awareness Week. In the UK, there are 3,800 new cases each year and 1,700 deaths. Mr Lowry said: "There is a very positive message here. Early detection has a 90 per cent five-year survival rate.

"People who have a non-healing ulcer which lasts longer than two weeks should seek advice from their GP or their dentist."