Finding cancer early gives doctors a better chance to treat it and help you get better.

Possible symptoms of cancer

Different types of cancer have their own symptoms

Lumps or swellings

If you notice a new or unexplained lump or swelling anywhere on your body, talk to your GP. It can be useful to tell them:

how long it has been there

if it is getting bigger

if it is painful or uncomfortable

Sweating

Sweating alot (particularly at night) or a high temperature that lasts a long time or keeps coming back

Tiredness

Feeling more tired than usual

Bruising/Bleeding

Unusual bruising or bleeding (such as bleeding from your bottom, blood in your pee or vomiting blood)

Pain

Pain anywhere in our body that’s not usual for you

Weight loss

Losing weight without trying or feeling less hungry than usual

Toilet habits

Needing to pee more often or more urgently, or pain when you pee

Find out more about specifics below:

Skin symptoms can include:

  • A new mole, or changes to a mole anywhere on your body
  • Changes in your skin, such as a rash or sore that does not get better
  • The whites of your eyes or your skin looking yellow (jaundice) – yellow skin may be harder to see on black or brown skin

Stomach symptoms can include

  • Heartburn or indigestion that’s frequent, very painful or gets worse
  • A swollen tummy (bloating) that happens often or lasts a long time
  • Changes in your poo, such as needing to poo more or less often than usual, diarrhoea or constipation that does not get better or gets worse

Mouth and throat symptoms can include

  • Problems swallowing
  • A hoarse or croaky voice that does not get better
  • A sore or ulcer in your mouth that does not get better after 3 weeks
  • White or red patches in your mouth

Lung and breathing symptoms can include:

  • A cough that does not get better or gets worse
  • Shortness of breath that does not get better or gets worse
  • Coughing up blood

Vagina symptoms can include

  • Vaginal discharge that’s not usual for you
  • Unusual vaginal bleeding, such as bleeding between periods or after sex, or bleeding after the menopause

Urological symptoms can include

  • Blood in your semen
  • Difficult getting an erection

Macmillan have released short Youtube video about the signs and symptoms of cancer and what to do if you have any symptoms, you are worried about

 

See your doctor if:

  • You have symptoms you think could be cancer and/or
  • You notice changes in your body that aren’t normal for you and they worry you

If your doctor thinks your symptoms might be cancer, they might send you for more tests or to see a specialist at the hospital.

Remember

  • Most of these symptoms are common and are often caused by other things.
  • Having these symptoms doesn’t mean you definitely have cancer.
  • If it is cancer, finding it early can make it easier to treat.