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I've spent months encouraging people to get symptoms checked, but without too much explanation.
I'll try to explain which symptoms need attention and why.
So many have cancer right now and don't even know, it's an unfolding disaster. Any help to spread the message is welcome.
I'll try to explain which symptoms need attention and why.
So many have cancer right now and don't even know, it's an unfolding disaster. Any help to spread the message is welcome.
Let's start with the obvious one - unusual lumps. Most are harmless, but that doesn't mean you can ignore.
If the lump is hard and doesn't move, persistent, growing, or painful then you need to get it examined.
The number of lives we've lost because of ignored lumps is tragic.
If the lump is hard and doesn't move, persistent, growing, or painful then you need to get it examined.
The number of lives we've lost because of ignored lumps is tragic.
Getting unusual moles looked at is simple, but absolutely crucial.
Is a new mole a strange shape? Blurred edges? Odd colour? Is it raised or bleeding?
Diagnosing skin cancer early usually means a far better outcome. Keep an eye on any moles, regular checks don't take long.
Is a new mole a strange shape? Blurred edges? Odd colour? Is it raised or bleeding?
Diagnosing skin cancer early usually means a far better outcome. Keep an eye on any moles, regular checks don't take long.
Nobody wants to talk about rectal bleeding, but ignoring it is far, far worse.
If you spot blood in your stool or on the toilet paper then it needs checking.
Usually, it's no problem but catching bowel cancer early makes a significant difference. Worth having it checked.
If you spot blood in your stool or on the toilet paper then it needs checking.
Usually, it's no problem but catching bowel cancer early makes a significant difference. Worth having it checked.
1 in 7 UK females will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some stage in their lives and sadly it kills far too many.
Feeling yourself for anything unusual is good advice.
It also affects men although rarely - so the advice is applicable for all of us. If in doubt, get checked!
Feeling yourself for anything unusual is good advice.
It also affects men although rarely - so the advice is applicable for all of us. If in doubt, get checked!
This is a tricky one at the moment as winter approaches - a persistent cough.
If it's lasted more than a few weeks (and you don't have COVID) then let your doctor know. If you cough up blood, act urgently.
Lung cancer awareness has really suffered this year. One to remember.
If it's lasted more than a few weeks (and you don't have COVID) then let your doctor know. If you cough up blood, act urgently.
Lung cancer awareness has really suffered this year. One to remember.
If you're losing weight (anything more than 5% over several months) without meaning to, it can be cause for concern.
Other symptoms can cause this, so watch out for them too.
A tumour can make your body act in strange ways - this is one of them. Get it checked!
Other symptoms can cause this, so watch out for them too.
A tumour can make your body act in strange ways - this is one of them. Get it checked!
The progress we've made on people checking lumps in the breast is fantastic, but there are other signs to look out for.
Does it hurt? Is it changing shape or size? Is it red? Any fluid leaking?
There are over 50,000 breast cancer cases a year in the UK. If worried, get checked!
Does it hurt? Is it changing shape or size? Is it red? Any fluid leaking?
There are over 50,000 breast cancer cases a year in the UK. If worried, get checked!
Lots of us aren't as fit as we should be, but if you're feeling particularly out of breath when you normally wouldn't be, it's worth a phone call.
Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers, and it's diagnosed late far too often.
Catch it early & take care of yourself.
Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers, and it's diagnosed late far too often.
Catch it early & take care of yourself.
Men feel embarrassed about this, but the alternative is far worse. The more we talk about it, the better.
Check your testicles! Any lumps, swelling, pain? Early signs are easy to spot.
These cancers have not gone away, so please don't put off getting anything checked out.
Check your testicles! Any lumps, swelling, pain? Early signs are easy to spot.
These cancers have not gone away, so please don't put off getting anything checked out.
A common symptom of cancer is any unusual bleeding or discharge.
Keep an eye out for this anywhere, including parts of the body that may embarrass some to talk about.
If it's happening, get it looked at. Please don't feel embarrassed or ashamed.
Keep an eye out for this anywhere, including parts of the body that may embarrass some to talk about.
If it's happening, get it looked at. Please don't feel embarrassed or ashamed.
We all hate getting ulcers. It's really unpleasant, and usually they clear up in a few days, but if one is hanging around for a few weeks then it's good to have it looked at.
Mouth cancer can affect anyone, and awareness is not as good as it should be.
Why risk it?
Mouth cancer can affect anyone, and awareness is not as good as it should be.
Why risk it?
Constantly feeling bloated? A swollen tummy?
Generally, it's nothing to worry about and can be caused by a wide variety of things, but it really is best to get it looked at if it persists.
It's an easy one to ignore, so my advice would be to be cautious and get it checked.
Generally, it's nothing to worry about and can be caused by a wide variety of things, but it really is best to get it looked at if it persists.
It's an easy one to ignore, so my advice would be to be cautious and get it checked.
A symptom that many ignore is blood in the urine. If you see blood, or a brown colour, then it needs to be checked.
Of course it doesn't mean cancer and there are plenty of other potential reasons but it's an issue that needs addressing.
I'm going to keep shouting- get checked!
Of course it doesn't mean cancer and there are plenty of other potential reasons but it's an issue that needs addressing.
I'm going to keep shouting- get checked!
Losing your appetite can happen for any number of reasons, and normally it's nothing to worry about.
But for a prolonged period of time it's worth having a chat with your doctor. It will usually mean weight loss too.
Stress is a big factor - getting things checked can help.
But for a prolonged period of time it's worth having a chat with your doctor. It will usually mean weight loss too.
Stress is a big factor - getting things checked can help.
Far too often people feel like they shouldn't bother their doctor with any of these symptoms listed.
We want you to come and check with us! So please don't feel put off.
I'm sure other doctors reading this would support me. Any persistent/worsening symptoms get them checked!
We want you to come and check with us! So please don't feel put off.
I'm sure other doctors reading this would support me. Any persistent/worsening symptoms get them checked!
It's an awkward topic, but talking about it could save a life.
Have your toilet habits changed? Has your poo changed texture? Are you constipated more often? Is it hurting?
If it persists for a while, my advice would be to get it checked.
Have your toilet habits changed? Has your poo changed texture? Are you constipated more often? Is it hurting?
If it persists for a while, my advice would be to get it checked.
Fortunately the vast majority of these symptoms won't mean cancer, so please don't panic if you recognise them.
It's impossible to overstate how important finding cancer early can be.
I've seen firsthand far too often the damage finding it late can do - trust me, get checked.
It's impossible to overstate how important finding cancer early can be.
I've seen firsthand far too often the damage finding it late can do - trust me, get checked.
