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Cancer Awareness
Bowel Cancer
The three main symptoms of bowel cancer are:
- Blood in your poo for no obvious reason
- Persistent change in your bowel habit, including more frequent runnier poos
- Tummy pain or bloating, brought on by eating
Please be aware other health problems can cause similar symptoms -
but it is important to get checked by a GP if you have any of these symptoms for 3 weeks or more.
Breast Cancer
What are the signs and symptoms of breast cancer?
- A change in the size, outline or shape of your breast
- Changes in your skin such as puckering, dumpling, colour or a rash
- A new lump, thickening or bumpy in one breast or armpit
- Swelling in your armpit, collarbone or breast
- A discharge of fluid from either of your nipples
- Any changes in nipple position (pulled in or pointing differently)
- An eczema like rash, crusting, scaly, itching or redness on or around the nipple
Breast pain is not usually a symptom of breast cancer
Please see a GP if you notice any of the above changes.
Gynaecological Cancer
Cervical Cancer
Common signs and symptoms of cervical cancer:
Vaginal bleeding that’s unusual for you – including
- Bleeding during or after sex
- Bleeding between your periods or after the menopause
- Having periods heavier than usual
- Changes to your vaginal discharge
- Pain in your lower back, between your hip bones (pelvis), or in your lower tummy
- Pain during sex
These symptoms are very common and can be caused by many different conditions but its important to get them checked by a GP.
Vaginal Cancer
Main Symptoms of vaginal cancer can include:
- A lump in the vagina
- Ulcers and other skin changes in or around the vagina
Other symptoms can include:
- Bleeding from the vagina after the menopause
- Smelly or bloodstained vaginal discharge
- An itch in your vagina that will not go away
- Bleeding after sex or pain during sex
- Bleeding between periods
- Pain when you pee or needing to pee a lot
These symptoms are very common and can be caused by many different conditions but its important to get them checked by a GP.
Womb Cancer
Main symptoms of womb cancer can include:
- Bleeding or spotting from the vagina after the menopause
- Vaginal bleeding between your periods
- Heavy periods from your vagina that is unusual for you
- A change to your vaginal discharge
Other symptoms can include:
- A lump or swelling in your tummy or between your hip bones (pelvis)
- Pain during sex
- Pain in your lower back between your hip bones (pelvis)
- Blood in you urine
These symptoms are very common and can be caused by many different conditions but its important to get them checked by a GP.
Kidney Cancer
Symptoms can include:
- Blood in your urine
- A lump or swelling in your side
- Persistent pain in your lower back or side
Contact your GP if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.
Lung Cancer
What are the signs and symptoms of lung cancer?
- A cough that lasts for 3 weeks or more
- A long-standing cough that gets worse
- Chest infections that keep coming back
- Coughing up blood
- An ache or pain when breathing or coughing
- Persistent breathlessness
- Persistent tiredness or lack of energy
- Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss
See a GP if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer usually develops slowly, so there may be no signs for many years.
Symptoms of Prostate cancer can include:
- An increased need to pee
- Straining while you pee
- A feeling that your bladder has not fully emptied
Other health problems can cause similar symptoms- but it’s important to get them checked by a GP.
Published: Oct 10, 2022