One of the posters being used in the awareness campaign

Television and radio adverts featuring people who have suffered from the disease are designed to raise awareness of the symptoms.

More than 530 new cases are diagnosed in Scotland every year.

People are being encouraged to go to their dentist, doctor or pharmacist if they spot any of the signs or symptoms.

The campaign is being run by the West of Scotland Cancer Awareness Project under the slogan "If in doubt, get it checked out".

Age group

Project manager Lisa Cohen said: "If you get a mouth ulcer, a red or white patch or a sore in your mouth that doesn't go away after three weeks, even if it isn't painful, we will be advising you to get it checked out by a dentist, doctor or pharmacist.

"We are targeting men and women over the age of 45 as 85% of mouth cancer cases are detected within this age group."

Research has indicated that only 6% of people in the west of Scotland are aware of mouth cancer.

The New Opportunities Fund has given the five west of Scotland NHS boards a grant worth �1.3m to improve public awareness.

Mouth cancer can spread quickly so detecting the cancer early can make a big difference to the patient long-term Dr Lesley Wilkie NHS Argyll and Clyde

Dr Lesley Wilkie, the director of public health at NHS Argyll and Clyde, said there was concern about the increasing number of cases in the area.

She said: "About 50% of mouth cancer patients currently survive five years after the disease is diagnosed.

"This statistic is influenced by the fact that many patients present late to the NHS due to lack of awareness.

"Mouth cancer can spread quickly so detecting the cancer early can make a big difference to the patient long-term".

Deputy Health Minister Tom McCabe agreed that early detection was vital.

He said: "Survival from cancer in Scotland has improved but oral cancer survival has not kept pace with improvements seen elsewhere.