Not being able to stick your tongue out straight: The lesser-known symptoms of ... trends now

You might think having a husky voice is nothing to worry about.

And, chances are, you're probably right.

But doctors claim it could potentially be a sign of mouth cancer — a disease which strikes thousands every year. 

With November marking mouth cancer awareness month, MailOnline has compiled six of lesser-known symptoms of the illness. They include hearing a ringing sound in your ear and not being able to stick your tongue out straight.

Experts stress it is vital to catch the early signs of mouth, or oral cancer, early on.

Karen Coates, from the Oral Health Foundation charity, said: 'Spotting mouth cancer early is crucial for beating the disease. 

'Early detection boosts our chances of survival from 50 per cent to 90 per cent.'

Dr Julie Sharp, head of health and patient information at Cancer Research UK added: 'In most cases, these will be a sign of something less serious than cancer. 

'But it is important to tell your doctor or dentist if you notice any of these symptoms or anything else that isn’t normal for you.'

A lisp and/or husky voice

Changes in speech and even a lisp could be signs of mouth cancer. 

Your voice may become huskier or quieter and sound a bit like when you have a cold if the cancer is near the back of your throat, according to Cancer Research UK.

A husky voice can be a sign of hypopharynx cancer, which affects the back of the throat and potentially the vocal chords. 

Swelling in your mouth caused by the cancer could also give you a lisp and make it difficult to say particular words or cause you to slur some.

Ms Coates said: 'You can get a voice change if the cancer is further back in your mouth and affects your throat. 

'It can also affect speech if your tongue has cancerous cells or is near the cancer site.'

But a change in your voice could also be a sign of something less serious such as a common cold, laryngitis or even acid reflux. 

Not being able to stick your tongue out

It might sound silly.

But not being able to stick your tongue out straight is one of the more bizarre symptoms of the disease. 

Just how mouth cancer can give you a lisp if the cancerous lumps are on or near the tongue, it can restrict movement, according to Ms Coates.

It is more common in certain types of mouth cancer including tongue, soft palate or lip cancer. 

It is also associated with squamous cell carcinoma. 

This is the cancer of the flat, skin like cells that cover the lining of the mouth, nose, larynx, thyroid and throat, according to Cancer Research.