Drinking piping hot tea or coffee could almost double the risk of developing cancer of the oesophagus, warns new research. Scalding water damages the lining of the mouth and throat which can fuel tumours, say, scientists. A study of more than 50,000 people found those who drank their cuppa at a temperature of 60 C (140 F) were 90% more likely to be struck down. This rose to 2.4 times among those who regularly drank it at 75 C (167F).