More than 1/3 people in the UK will develop some form of cancer during
their lifetime.
The good news is that some cancers
can be cured if detected early enough.
The key is to be aware of unexplained changes to your body, and to know
the common signs
and symptoms of cancer.
While many cancer symptoms are common of other illnesses
and usually nothing to worry about, you should see your GP if you have
any of the below warning signs.
This is so your GP can check your symptoms and either rule out cancer,
or get you treated immediately. You have a better change of defeating
cancer if caught early.
Typical signs and symptoms of cancer.
1: A lump
See your GP
if you notice a lump anywhere on your body. Your GP will refer you to a
specialist for tests if they suspect cancer.
2: Coughing, breathlessness and hoarseness
See your GP if youve had a cough
or felt breathless for more than two weeks, or if you have blood in your
phlegm.
3: Change in bowel habits
See your GP if youve experienced one of the below changes and its
lasted for more than a few weeks:
blood in your stools
diarrhoea or constipation for no obviousreason
a feeling of not having emptied yourbowelproperly after going to the
toilet
pain in your abdomen (tummy) or backpassage
4: Bleeding
See your GP about any unexplained bleeding, such as:
blood in your urine
bleeding between periods
blood from your back passage
blood when you cough
blood in your vomit
5: Moles
See your GP if you have a mole that:
has an irregular or asymmetrical shape
has an irregular border with jagged edges
has more than one colour (it may be flecked with brown, black, red,
pinkorwhite)
is bigger then 7mm in diameter
is itchy, crusting or bleeding
6: Unexplained weight loss
See your GP if youve lost
a lot of weight over the past months that cannot be explained by
your diet,
exercise
or stress.
References:
Cancer:
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Cancer/Pages/Introduction.aspx
Cancer
Symptoms: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Cancer/Pages/Symptoms.aspx
Illnesses:
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Pages/hub.aspx
GP:
http://www.nhs.uk/servicedirectories/pages/servicesearch.aspx
Cough:
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Cough/Pages/Introduction.aspx
Weight
loss: http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/loseweight/Pages/Loseweighthome.aspx
Diet:
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Goodfood/Pages/Goodfoodhome.aspx
Exercise:
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/exercise/Pages/Introduction.aspx
Stress:
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress/Pages/Introduction.aspx
Source: Business Wire