Finding cancer early means it's easier to treat. So, it's important to be aware of any new or worrying symptoms. Speak to a GP if you notice these 11 signs and symptoms, advises the NHS.
According to the healthcare provider, it's particularly important to look out for cancer symptoms if you have been diagnosed with a condition that means you’re at higher risk of getting cancer and two or more of your close relatives (such as a parent, brother or sister) have had cancer.
Coughing, chest pain and breathlessness
Speak to a GP if you've had a cough for three 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 these changes and it's lasted for three weeks or more: 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 back passage (anus), your poo is loose, pale or looks greasy.
Bloating
Speak to a GP if you've had bloating for three 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 and 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 and gets larger or more raised from the skin
Any of the above changes means there's a chance you have malignant melanoma, a form 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.
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.
Source: nhs.uk
Davindra and Seema Misra, and Vijay and Gita Parekh
Varchas Patel with his father Vipin and mother Jayshriben
Hasmukh Shingadia and his wife Chandrika were all victims of the Horizon scandal
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)