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Cancer focus: symptoms you should never ignore
Symptoms of cancer
Although there’s a good chance you won’t have cancer, don’t put off contacting your GP if you discover a lump or bump, or notice something else unusual. They will be able to advise you on the best approach, despite the pandemic.
The sooner you have a diagnosis, if there is something wrong, the quicker a suitable treatment plan can be put in place. If you do have cancer, this will improve your chances of making a full recovery.
Here, I share the main symptoms of the four most common cancers in the UK: breast, bowel, lung and prostate.
Breast lumps and changes to your breasts
It’s important to check your breasts for lumps and other changes regularly. A breast lump – or an area that feels thicker in your breast – is the most common symptom of breast cancer. This can be in your breast, armpit or upper chest (breast tissue extends all the way up to your collar bone).
There are other changes to your breasts that you should look out for and always flag to your GP. These include:
- discharge or bleeding from your nipple
- a change in the look or texture of your skin
- inflammation or a rash on or around your nipple
- a change to the shape of your nipple or if it becomes sunken or inverted
- a lump or pain in your armpit
- a change in the size or shape of your breast
How to check your breasts – animation
Checking your breasts regularly helps you know what’s normal for you. Our animation shows you how to do it and what to look for.
How to check your breasts
Checking your breasts regularly helps you know what’s normal for you. Choose a time and place to check your breasts when it suits you.
- Begin by looking at your breasts in the mirror.
- Keep your shoulders straight and put your hands on your hips.
- Look at each breast and nipple to check for any changes in size or shape. This includes whether your nipple has sunken or become inverted (turns inwards), or if there is any fluid (discharge) coming from one or both nipples.
- Check your skin for any redness, rashes, dimpling or puckering.
- Now, raise your arms and look for the same changes.
- Next, feel for any lumps or painful areas. Use the flat part of your fingers to gently work around each breast, pressing in small, circular motions. Vary your pressure to check the tissue just under your skin, but also deeper tissue too.
- Be sure to check the whole of your breast area. This includes under your armpits, all around each breast and up to your collarbone. Do this step laying down, perhaps in bed, and then standing up, maybe while taking a shower.
Your breasts might feel different at different times during the month, so getting to know what’s normal for you is key.
Always contact your GP if you notice any unusual changes.
Changes to your bowels and toilet habits
It may be a subject you’d rather not talk about. But changes to your bowel movements, pain in your abdomen (tummy) or seeing blood in your poo can be symptoms of bowel cancer.
Always contact your GP if you experience any of the following symptoms.
- Blood in your poo. You may see it in the water or on the toilet paper.
- Changes in your bowel habits for more than three weeks. You may start going more often, strain more or experience a feeling of not emptying your bowel (incomplete emptying).
- Pain, discomfort or bloating. Your tummy may feel tender, either in one area or all over.
- Unexplained weight loss or fatigue. You may lose your appetite or feel sick.
Persistent cough
A persistent cough is a well-known symptom of coronavirus. But it can indicate other conditions, such as lung cancer. If you test negative for coronavirus and your cough won’t go away or is getting worse over time, contact your GP. It’s important to say if your cough isn’t new and you’ve had it for more than four to six weeks.
You should also contact your GP if you:
- feel short of breath
- have pain in your chest
- cough up blood
- have recurrent chest infections
Problems passing urine (peeing)
Problems peeing are usually caused by conditions other than cancer, for example, a urine infection, which is easily treated. But it’s still important to contact your GP if your symptoms don’t go away.
Problems peeing can sometimes be symptoms of bladder or prostate cancer. Be aware of symptoms such as:
- needing to pee urgently, or more often
- not being able to pee when you need to
- feeling pain when you pee
- blood in your pee
Other changes and symptoms
Other symptoms you should keep an eye on and flag to your GP include:
- new skin lesions that look unusual or don’t heal within four weeks
- changes to an existing mole, such as an increase in size or change in colour
- vaginal bleeding after sex, between periods or after the menopause
- mouth ulcers or lumps, sores or patches in your mouth that don’t heal
Don’t put off seeing your GP
The best way to look after your health is to know your body and what’s normal for you. Always flag anything new or unusual that doesn’t go away within three or four weeks to your GP. The sooner you get a diagnosis – whatever your health concern – the sooner you’ll be on the road to recovery.
Nobody likes to think about being diagnosed with cancer. But our health insurance gives you personal cancer care with support at every stage of your treatment for as long as you have a policy with us. Learn more about our health insurance.
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Sources
- Cancer incidence for common cancers. Cancer Research UK. www.cancerresearchuk.org, last reviewed 5 March 2020
- Key signs and symptoms of cancer. Cancer Research UK. www.cancerresearchuk.org, last reviewed November 2017
- Breast cancer. Oxford handbook of oncology. Oxford Medicine Online. oxfordmedicine.com, updated October 2018
- Signs and symptoms of breast cancer. Breast Cancer Now. breastcancernow.org, last reviewed August 2019
- Colorectal cancer. Patient – Professional Reference. patient.info, updated March 2020
- Ovarian cancer. MSD Manual – Professional Version. www.msdmanuals.com, last reviewed Feb 2019
- Stay at home: guidance for households with possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection. GOV.UK. www.gov.uk, updated 28 April 2020
- Lung carcinoma. MSD Manual – Professional Version. www.msdmanuals.com, last updated March 2018
- Urinary tract infection (lower) – men. Clinical Knowledge Summaries. cks.nice.org.uk, last reviewed November 2018
- Prostate cancer. MSD Manual – Professional Version. www.msdmanuals.com, last uped December 2019
- Urinary-tract infections. BNF. bnf.nice.org.uk, last updated 11 January 2021
- Urological cancers. Clinical Knowledge Summaries. cks.nice.org.uk, last reviewed September 2015
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