Signs and symptoms of cancer
Although the majority of symptoms, when assessed, will not be cancer, it is important to see your GP if you have any symptoms that are unusual.
Although it is frightening to think about these symptoms being something serious, it is important to remember than most of the time, they will not be cancer. However it is really important to see your GP as soon as possible.
Signs and symptoms of cancer
Changes in bowel habits
Speak to a GP if you’ve noticed these changes and it’s lasted for 3 weeks or more:
- tummy discomfort
- blood in your poo
- diarrhoea or constipation for no obvious reason
- a feeling of not having fully emptied your bowels after going to the toilet
- pain in your stomach or back passage (anus)
Bloating
Speak to a GP if you’ve had bloating for 3 weeks or more.
Bleeding
You should also speak to a GP if you have any unexplained bleeding, such as:
- blood in your urine
- vaginal bleeding between periods
- vaginal bleeding a year or more after the menopause (postmenopausal bleeding)
- bleeding from your bottom
- blood when you cough
- blood in your vomit
Coughing, chest pain and breathlessness
Contact a GP if you’ve had a cough for 3 weeks or more.
Symptoms such as shortness of breath or chest pain may also be a sign of a condition such as pneumonia. Speak to a GP straight away if you have these types of symptoms.
Lump in your breast
Speak to a GP if you notice a lump in your breast or if you have a lump that’s rapidly increasing in size elsewhere on your body.
Your GP will refer you to a specialist for tests if they think you may have cancer.
Moles
Speak to a GP if you have a mole that:
- changes shape or looks uneven
- changes colour, gets darker or has more than 2 colours
- starts itching, crusting, flaking or bleeding
- gets larger or more raised from the skin
Any of the above changes means there’s a chance you have malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer.
Unexplained weight loss
You should also speak to a GP if you’ve lost a lot of weight over the last couple of months that cannot be explained by changes to your diet, exercise or stress.
Read about unintentional weight loss.
More information
The following links have more useful information about cancer signs and symptoms: