Signs and symptoms

It's important to be aware of any new or worrying symptoms.

Although it's unlikely to be cancer, it's important to speak to a GP so they can investigate. Finding cancer early means it's easier to treat.

If your GP thinks you have symptoms that could be cancer, they'll refer you to a specialist. This will usually be an urgent referral.

Coughing, chest pain and breathlessness

Speak to a GP if you've had a cough for 3 weeks or more.

Symptoms such as shortness of breath or chest pain may also be a sign of a condition such as pneumonia. Speak to a GP straight away if you have these types of symptoms.

Changes in bowel habits

Speak to a GP if you've noticed changes in your usual bowel habits and it's lasted for 3 weeks or more.

The type of changes to look out for include:

• tummy discomfort
• blood in your poo
• diarrhoea or constipation for no obvious reason
• a feeling of not having fully emptied your bowels after going to the toilet
• pain in your stomach or bottom (anus)
• your poo is loose, pale or looks greasy

Bloating

Speak to a GP if you've had bloating for 3 weeks or more.

Bleeding

You should also speak to a GP if you have any unexplained bleeding, such as:

• blood in your urine
• vaginal bleeding between periods
• vaginal bleeding a year or more after the menopause (postmenopausal bleeding)
• bleeding from your bottom
• blood when you cough
• blood in your vomit

Lumps

Speak to a GP if you notice a lump in your breast or if you have a lump that's noticeably increasing in size elsewhere on your body.

It’s important to regularly check your breasts, underarms, groin and testicles for any new lumps or changes.

Moles

Speak to a GP if you have a mole that:

• changes shape or looks uneven
• changes colour, gets darker or has more than 2 colours
• starts itching, crusting, flaking or bleeding
• gets larger or more raised from the skin

Any of these changes mean there's a chance you have melanoma, a serious type of skin cancer.

Unexplained weight loss

You should also speak to a GP if you've lost a lot of weight over the last couple of months that cannot be explained by changes to your diet, exercise or stress.

Read about unintentional weight loss.

Tummy or back pain

Speak to a GP if you have pain anywhere in your tummy or back and you’re not sure what’s causing it. This includes a dull pain that’s always there or a sharp pain that comes and goes.

Indigestion and heartburn

Some cancers can give you indigestion or heartburn and acid reflux. This can feel like burning in your chest (heartburn) and make you burp or hiccup more than usual.

Speak to a GP if you get any of these symptoms regularly and are not sure why you’re getting them.

Itchy or yellow skin

Speak to a GP if your skin is itchy, and your skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow (jaundice). Your pee may also look darker than usual.

Feeling tired and unwell

With some cancers the symptoms can be harder to notice. It’s important to speak to a GP if you think something is not right, or you keep feeling tired and unwell and you’re not sure why.

More information

The following links have more useful information about cancer:

• Cancer Research UK: signs and symptoms of cancer
• Macmillan Cancer Support: signs and symptoms of cancer
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE): referral for suspected cancer

The following links have information about cancer for other parts of the UK:

• Be Cancer Aware (Northern Ireland): general signs and symptoms of cancer
• NHS inform (Scotland): cancer
• NHS 111 Wales (Wales): cancer