‘No woman should have a lump in the breast’ is a good surgical maxim. If you think you have a lump or there is a change in the nipple (or discharge from it) you need to see a doctor soon.
Bowel cancer can also present as a change in bowel habit (diarrhoea or constipation) for more than four weeks, over 30 years old.
If you see blood in your urine, see a doctor. It always needs to be investigated with a cystoscopy (looking into the bladder with a telescope) and ultrasound of the kidneys and bladder.
Lung cancer can also present as a persistent cough (= a cough that doesn’t go away or worsens over time), for over 4 weeks, in someone over 30 years.
New moles, sores, or changes in existing moles (e.g. size, shape, colour) can all be a melanoma. If it doubt, get it checked.
Unexplained weight loss, without having changed your diet or exercise habits, should always be discussed with a doctor.
Ongoing pain that doesn’t go away (especially through night) or worsens over time, can be a presentation of these cancers. Most are treatable, and some are curable – the earlier we can diagnose them, the better.
If you are having trouble swallowing or persistent indigestion for more then four weeks, you should see a doctor and it should be investigated.
Post-menopausal bleeding, or bleeding between periods, or after sex, should be investigated.
Note. If you have any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor soon.
