10 Red Flags for Cancer

10 Red Flags for Cancer

What are 10 red flags for cancer?

1. Breast lump – breast cancer
2. Blood in poo (or change in bowel habit (diarrhoea or constipation) for more than four weeks, over 30 years old) – bowel cancer
3. Blood in urine – kidney or bladder cancer
4. Coughing up blood (or persistent cough = a cough that doesn’t go away or worsens over time) – lung cancer
5. Changes in skin: new moles, sores, or changes in existing moles (e.g. size, shape, colour) – melanoma
6. Unexplained bleeding or bruising – blood or lymphatic cancer
7. Unexplained weight loss (without changing diet or exercise habits) – many cancers
8. Persistent pain: Ongoing pain that doesn’t go away (especially through night) or worsens over time – bone, bloood or lymphatic cancer
9. Difficulty swallowing: Trouble swallowing or persistent indigestion – oesophagus or stomach cancer
10. Vaginal bleeding after menopause (or between periods, or after sex) – uterus (womb) or cervix cancer.

Other Red Flags for Cancer

• Hoarse voice: A hoarse voice following a cold is quite normal. But hoarseness lasting longer than three weeks might suggest throat cancer
• Mouth ulcer that does not heal: Could mean mouth cancer.

Note. If you have any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor soon.