Lung cancer isn't the only risk smokers take with each time they light up a cigarette. They are also prime candidates for head and neck cancers.

"Tobacco is the leading cause of head and neck cancers," says Dale Rice, M.D., USC chair of otolaryngology. "Up to 90 percent of these cases are smoking-related."

More than 55,000 Americans develop cancer of the head and neck each year; and almost 13,000 die from it. Sadly, most cases are preventable.

The three most common head and neck cancers (or oral and oropharyngeal cancers) affect the tonsils, tongue and larynx. They tend to strike late in life, between 40 and 60, but can be successfully treated if detected early.

Symptoms include a lump in the neck (especially if it is an inch or larger in diameter or grows quickly), pain in the throat or ears during swallowing, an eroded area or swelling in the mouth, a voice change, or growths on the skin of the face.

Who's at risk?

"If you smoke more than a pack a day or consume more than five alcoholic beverages a day, you're an A-list candidate for these types of cancers," says Rice. Some smokers assume that chewing tobacco is a safe alternative to cigarettes. It's not. This product simply moves the cancer risk from the lungs to the mouth.

Research shows that head and neck cancers are rare in adults who don't smoke or drink. However, even people with healthy habits should watch for symptoms as well as protect themselves from overexposure to the sun, which is a major cause of skin cancer and is also linked to cancer of the lip. Luckily, survival rates for head and neck cancers are high (70 to 90 percent) if they are detected early.

Final word of advice:

"Stop smoking," Rice stresses. "It's the single most important thing you can do for your health."