Cancer symptoms: NHS lists 11 most common 'worrying' signs - including skin changes

Being body aware and it could well save your life

The earliest warning signs of cancer can be subtle, so the message from medics is always crystal clear – if something doesn’t feel right, it’s important to rule it out.

The NHS are always giving hammering home the point when it comes to worrying symptoms we really can’t ignore. Some are more obvious that others of course, but its website pains a clear picture for anyone concerned that all is not as well as it usually is. Tests could put your mind at rest and as we’re forever told: the sooner an issue is spotted, the better.

Despite 79 per cent of cases being ‘preventable’ a staggering 48,549 people still die each year from the disease in the UK alone. So, we have put together some of the most common the signs you should look out for, and if you’re worried about symptoms, don’t ignore them – see your GP. It could be nothing, but finding cancer early makes it more treatable.

NHS England’s national clinical director for cancer, Professor Peter Johnson, says: “Cancer symptoms and early warning signs can be very varied, with some being less obvious than others. But what’s important to know is what is normal for you, so that you can spot any changes. If you have any concerns, or if something in your body doesn’t feel quite right, you should contact your GP practice.

“Blood cancers are the fifth most common type of cancer in the UK, with over 41,000 people diagnosed every year. The symptoms – such as breathlessness, night sweats or feeling tired when you’re not sure why – can be quite common, but if something doesn’t feel right for you, please contact your local GP practice. Finding cancer earlier saves lives.”

Coughing, chest pain and breathlessness

The NHS say you must speak to 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.

Changes in bowel habits

Speak to a GP if you’ve noticed changes in your usual bowel habits and it’s lasted for 3 weeks or more.

The type of changes to look out for include:

• 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 bottom (anus)
• your poo is loose, pale or looks greasy

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

blood in your urine

• vaginal bleeding between periods
• vaginal bleeding a year or more after the menopause

bleeding from your bottom

blood when you cough

blood in your vomit

Lumps

Speak to a GP if you notice a lump in your breast or if you have a lump that’s noticeably increasing in size elsewhere on your body.

It’s important to regularly check your breasts, underarms, groin and testicles for any new lumps or changes.

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 these changes mean there’s a chance you have melanoma, a serious type 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.

Tummy or back pain

Speak to a GP if you have pain anywhere in your tummy or back and you’re not sure what’s causing it. This includes a dull pain that’s always there or a sharp pain that comes and goes.

Indigestion and heartburn

Some cancers can give you indigestion or heartburn and acid reflux. This can feel like burning in your chest (heartburn) and make you burp or hiccup more than usual. Speak to a GP if you get any of these symptoms regularly and are not sure why you’re getting them.

Itchy or yellow skin

Speak to a GP if your skin is itchy, and your skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow. Your pee may also look darker than usual.

Feeling tired and unwell

With some cancers the symptoms can be harder to notice. It’s important to speak to a GP if you think something is not right, or you keep feeling tired and unwell and you’re not sure why.