If in doubt, check it out - that's the message from NHS Beds during National Mouth Cancer Month.

Throughout November the primary care trust is highlighting that knowing the symptoms of mouth cancer could save your life.

Oral health promotion manager Sue Jordan said: "We don't tend to hear a great deal about mouth cancer, which affects approximately 4,000 people every year in England.

"Part of the problem is that in the early stages, when treatment is most successful, mouth cancer can be difficult to detect, making it easy to ignore."

Symptoms can include difficulty in swallowing, chewing or moving the tongue or jaw, mouth numbness, lumps, bumps, swellings or ulcers that persist for more than three weeks a very sore throat that lasts more than six weeks and unexplained loosening of teeth.

Reduce the risk of getting mouth cancer by not smoking, drinking less alcohol and having regular dental check ups.

For further information visit www.mouthcancerfoundation.org