India, Dec. 6 -- Persistent mouth ulcers in women should no longer be dismissed as minor irritations - these are increasingly being recognised as the potential first sign of a worrying rise in lip and oral cavity cancers among urban Indian women. Also read | Do you often get mouth ulcers? Dentist shares what causes them and 4 easy ways to prevent it

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Shruthi S, consultant, surgical oncology, Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru, highlighted this evolving health crisis, noting a departure from the historical trend where these cancers were predominantly observed in men and rural populations.

She said, "A mouth ulcer that refuses to heal could be more than a minor irritation. Increasingly, we a...