One of the last taboos in sexual health is to be tackled by the BBC in an hour-long film presented by the film star Jaime Winstone.

The investigation tackles the link between oral sex and rising numbers of mouth and throat cancer cases among young Britons – described this weekend as "an emerging epidemic" by a Cancer Research UK expert.

Rates of oral cancers have gone up by 50% in men since 1989 and are rising by 3% a year in women, even as smoking, once thought to be the major cause, declines. Oral cancers now kill 1,800 people a year.

Scientists have provided growing evidence over the last decade of the link between the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is passed from person to person during sexual activity, and an increased risk of developing oral cancer. It is better known as a major cause of cervical cancer.

"The evidence suggests that people are more likely to have an HPV-linked cancer if they have had multiple sexual partners and practised oral sex, whether they are men or women," said Dr Lesley Walker, cancer information director at Cancer Research UK. Winstone's documentary could have a very useful role to play, she added.

Vaccination of schoolgirls against HPV should ultimately reduce the level of infection, she added, but condom use is already proven to lessen the risk.