Cancer symptoms: 10 warning signs to help you catch the life-threatening disease early | Mens and Womens symptoms, causes and cures

Cancer symptoms: 10 early warning signs of cancer you should NEVER ignore

CANCER symptoms vary greatly, but here we reveal 10 common signs you should be wary of.


However a patient survey revealed that more than half of Brits ignore "red-flag" symptoms because they are worried about wasting their doctor's time.

Cancer is a disease of the cells. Sometimes cells go wrong and become abnormal and these cancer cells keep dividing to make more abnormal cells.

In 2012, an estimated 14.1 million new cases of cancer occurred worldwide. The four most common cancers globally are lung, female breast, bowel and.

These four account for around four in 10 of all cancers diagnosed worldwide.


WARNING: It's important to know the early symptoms of cancer

It’s now predicted that one in two people will get cancer at some point in their lives. Luckily advances are happening all the time and around 50% of people now survive cancer for more than 10 years, according to Cancer Research UK.

However, cancer is still a huge threat globally and it’s important to know the symptoms to look out for.

Here we reveal 10 :

1. Unexplained weight loss

If you’ve been dieting or increased your exercise levels then you will naturally lose weight, but if you haven’t made any changes to your lifestyle and the weight continues to drop off this could be a warning sign of something more serious.

2. Breathlessness

If you’ve been exercising yourself it’s normal to get out of breath, but if you notice yourself feeling more breathless than normal it’s best to consult your doctor.

3. A persistent cough or hoarseness

Coughs are mostly common and harmless, but if it continues for more than three weeks or gets worse, see your GP.

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SEEK HELP: Worryingly more than half of Brits ignore "red-flag" symptoms

4. Diarrhoea or constipation

This could be caused by food poisoning or a stomach bug, but if you experience problems for 4-6 weeks or more, then tell your doctor.

5. Unusual moles

should be checked by a GP.

6. Blood in your urine or faeces

The most common cause of blood in your poo is haemorrhoids, but it could also be a sign of cancer. Blood in your urine could also be a symptom.


SYMPTOMS: Moles with irregular shape or jagged edges should be checked by a GP

7. Unexplained vaginal bleeding

Bleeding between periods is a fairly common side effect of the contraceptive pill. But bleeding from the vagina between periods, after sex or post-menopause should be checked out by your doctor.

8. Unusual lump or swelling anywhere

Make sure you look out for unusual lump or swelling on the body. or testicles is to feel them in the shower.

Dr Dawn Harper’s TLC guide will give you advice on exactly how to self-check your boobs.

  • Touch your breasts. Can you feel anything unusual?
  • Look for changes. Is there any change in shape or texture?
  • Check anything unusual with your doctor.

To check for testicular cancer:



CHECK: The best time to check for lumps in the testicles in in the shower

9. Sore that does not heal

An open wound that never heals is another possible sign of cancer.

10. Heavy night sweats

Night sweats can be caused by temperature change or hormonal changes, but they can also be a sign of cancer.

They can be an early symptom of cancers including leukaemia, bone caner and liver cancer.



Others said they were too scared of a cancer diagnosis to seek help and some believed in maintaining a "stiff upper lip".

And worryingly a large proportion of Brits hadn't gone to see a medical professional because they lacked confidence in the health system.

But catching cancer early can literally be the difference between life and death so if you’re worried, see you GP immediately.