Cancer Awareness Information Sheet
Key Messages
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Know your body: know what is normal for you so that you can recognise any changes.
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Go and see your doctor with any changes (see Signs and Symptoms). The earlier that
cancer is detected, the easier it is to treat and the greater your chance of survival.
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Good News: more people are now living with cancer than dying from it.
Signs and symptoms
If you develop one of these symptoms it does not mean that you have cancer - they usually turn
out to be something much less serious. Nevertheless, it’s important to get changes checked out
early and if you notice any of the following please make an appointment to see your doctor:
Signs of cancer for men and women:
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An unusual lump or swelling anywhere on your body
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A change in the size, shape or colour of a mole
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Our skin repairs itself very quickly. However, if a spot, wart or sore doesn’t heal and
lasts for several weeks, it needs to be checked out by a doctor - even if it is painless.
A mouth or tongue ulcer that lasts longer than three weeks
o
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Most moles are harmless but new moles that appear, ones that change in size, shape
or colour over weeks or months, or ones that are crusty, bleed or ooze, should be
checked out by a doctor. This is particularly important if you have fair, freckly or moley
skin that tends to burn easily, or if you have a personal or family history of skin cancer.
A sore that won’t heal after several weeks
o
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Most people are aware that any unusual lump in a man’s testicle or a woman’s breast
should be checked out. But any persistent lump or swelling should be taken seriously;
these include lumps and swellings in your neck, armpit, abdomen, groin or chest area.
If these symptoms last for three weeks or more, it’s important to get them checked out.
Many people get mouth ulcers when they are run down, this is nothing to worry about
and they clear up within a couple of weeks. However, any ulcer that lasts longer than
three weeks should be reported to your doctor or dentist.
A cough or croaky voice that lasts longer than three weeks
o
A cough and croaky voice are common symptoms of a cold and usually clear up after a
week or so. But if they last longer than three weeks, if you cough up blood, or if an
existing cough changes or gets worse, you should go to your doctor. This is particularly
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important if you smoke or have ever smoked as you are more likely to suffer from throat
and lung diseases.
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Persistent difficulty swallowing or indigestion
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If you are having difficulty swallowing and the problem doesn’t go away after a couple
of weeks, it should be checked out.
o
It is normal to sometimes feel slight discomfort or pain after eating a large, fatty or spicy
meal. But if you are experiencing indigestion a lot, or if it is particularly painful, then you
should see your doctor.
Problems passing urine
o
As men get older they often have problems passing urine; they may need to pass urine
urgently or more often, are unable to go when they need to, or experience pain when
they do. These symptoms are quite common and usually caused by the prostate gland
enlarging. Less commonly, these symptoms can be a sing of prostate cancer. If you’re
experiencing any of these problems, you should see your doctor.
o
For women, infections are the most common cause of pain and difficulty passing urine.
But needing to pass urine urgently or more often than usual should be checked out.
Blood in your urine
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Blood in your bowel motions
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Blood in your urine should always be reported to a doctor. Usually it isn’t caused by
cancer and can be treated quickly and easily. But it could be a sign of something more
serious. Either way, the best thing to do is to go to your doctor.
The most common cause of blood in the bowel motions is piles. This condition is
brought on by straining when going to the toilet. But it can also be a symptom of a more
serious condition such as bowel cancer, so it’s very important to get it checked out.
A change to more frequent bowel motions that lasts longer than four to six weeks
o
Stomach bugs and food poisoning are the most usual causes of loose, frequent bowel
motions or diarrhoea and usually clears up within a few days. But if you have noticed a
change in your bowel habits lasting longer than four to six weeks, it could be a more
serious bowel problem and you should see your doctor.
o
Most cases of bowel cancer are in people aged over 50. If you’re younger, bowel
changes are likely to be caused by other medical conditions, but if you have noticed
any lasting bowel changes you should see your doctor.
Unexplained weight loss or heavy night sweats
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Small weight changes over time are quite normal. But if you have noticeably lost weight
without dieting, this should be checked out by your doctor.
o
Heavy night sweats can be brought on by infections and certain medications. They are
also often experienced by women around the time of the menopause. But heavy night
sweats can also be caused by certain types of cancer and you should see your doctor.
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An unexplained pain or ache that lasts longer than four weeks
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Breathlessness
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In general, if you experience any continuous unexplained pain, or any unexplained pain
that comes and goes over a period longer than four weeks, you should make an
appointment to see your doctor.
It’s not unusual to feel out of breath now and again, especially as we get older.
Chances are it’s nothing to worry about but if you’re feeling breathless more than usual,
or for much of the time, make an appointment to see your doctor as it could be a sign of
lung cancer. If you already have something wrong with your lungs that makes
breathing more difficult, such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder), tell
your doctor or nurse if you find you’re more out of breath than usual.
Coughing up blood
o
If you’ve coughed up blood, no matter how much or what colour, make an appointment
to see your doctor. It may be nothing to worry about but could be a sign of lung cancer.
Signs of cancer for women:
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An unusual breast change
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Bleeding from the vagina after the menopause or between periods
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As well as looking for lumps on the breast, look out for any change in the size, shape or
feel of a breast, a change to skin texture, redness, a nipple change or pain in a breast.
Bleeding between periods, or ‘spotting’ as it is sometimes known, is a fairly common
side effect of the contraceptive pill. But bleeding from the vagina between periods, after
sex or after the menopause should be checked out.
Persistent bloating
o
Many women experience a bloating of their abdomen which comes and goes. But if you
notice persistent bloating, make an appointment to see your doctor because it could be
a sign of ovarian cancer.
REMINDER: The earlier cancer is detected, the easier it is to treat and the
greater your chance of survival.
Lifestyle choices that make a difference
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Smoking
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Smoking is the most preventable cause of cancer yet results in nearly one in five
cancers in the UK. Smokers are also more likely to get other serious diseases such as:
coronary heart disease, heart attack, stroke, and emphysema: This is why giving up is
the best present you can give yourself. For professional help and support to quit, call
free on 0800 002 200.
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Get Active
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Keep a healthy body weight
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As well as making you feel good and helping to maintain a healthy weight, regular
exercise can reduce your risk of breast cancer, bowel cancer, heart disease, diabetes,
strokes and osteoporosis.
Whatever your age, it’s important to maintain a healthy weight – aim to eat a balanced
diet (see the Healthy Eating Information sheet for more information). Weight gain,
especially after the menopause, may increase your chance of developing breast cancer
and eating lots of red and processed meat can increase your risk of bowel and possible
stomach cancer.
Alcohol
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Alcohol causes 12,500 deaths from cancer every year. As little as 3 units a day can
increase the risk of mouth, throat, oesophagus, breast, bowel and liver cancers. That’s
only the equivalent of 1 pint of premium lager or a large glass of wine. Try to limit your
regular intake and have at least 2 alcohol free days a week (see the Alcohol
Information Sheet for more information).
Top tips
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A good time to check for unusual lumps and bumps is in the bath or shower.
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It’s important to keep an eye on your skin and look out for changes - ask your partner or a
friend to check areas you can’t see, such as your back.
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If in doubt, please go to your doctor or ask to see your practice nurse.
Useful links
Gloucestershire Community Health Trainers – Offer free and confidential one to one support for
adults who would like to improve their health. Topics covered include increasing physical activity,
sensible drinking, weight management and healthy eating. Telephone: 01452 554408.
Website: www.gloshealthtrainers.nhs.uk
Cobalt – Offer free talks and information to help people understand how they can reduce their risk
of getting cancer and the symptoms/changes that need to be checked by a GP. Getting checked
early save lives. Telephone: 01242 535905 Website: www.cobalthealth.co.uk
Cancer Research UK – Provides up-to-date and accurate information and advice regarding all
cancers as well as excellent guidance on Healthy Living. Website: www.cancerresearchuk.org
Change 4 Life – Advice on topics such as alcohol, healthy eating and physical activity. Website:
www.nhs.uk/Change4Life
NHS Choices - Information from the National Health Service on conditions, treatments, local
services and healthy living. Website: www.nhs.uk
prepared by A.Ronaldson/ S.White, Cobalt Health, Glos – July 2013
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Source - NHS Choices