7 SIGNS YOU SHOULD NOT IGNORE

Beware of unexplained changes in your body. There is a vast array of symptoms for the 200 different types of cancer: Here are the most common signs

FATIGUE

Feeling extremely tired can be a symptom of cancer in your body. A lump or thickening of skin can be an early or late sign of cancer. People with cancers in the breast, lymph nodes, soft tissues, and testicles typically have lumps

MOLES

If you notice a mole that has an irregular or asymmetrical shape, is more than one colour, is bigger than 7 mm in diameter, and is itchy, crusty or bleeding, see your doctor. It could be a sign of skin cancer

LUMPS

Always see a doctor if you notice a lump in your breast, or elsewhere on your body, that is rapidly increasing in size. Lumps can be caused by non-cancerous things like cysts, but they need treatment regardless.

COUGHING

A persistent cough lasting more than three weeks could be a sign of lung cancer or throat cancer. A long-lasting cough could also be a sign of pneumonia, which would also need medical attention

UNEXPLAINED BLEEDING

Blood in the urine, bleeding between periods, bleeding from the bottom, blood when coughing and blood in vomit should always be checked out by a doctor. Unexplained bleeding, depending on where it is coming from, can be a sign of cancer, including prostate, cervical, bowel and lung cancers

BOWEL HABIT CHANGES

See a doctor if you experience bowel changes lasting for more than a few weeks.

These can include blood in the stools, diarrhoea, constipation, pain while urinating and persistent bloating. Changes in bowel habits could also be a sign of something less serious, like an irritable bowel syndrome

UNEXPLAINED WEIGHT LOSS

Unexplained weight loss in the space of a couple of months, which can’t be explained by diet changes, exercise or stress is a symptom of cancer. It is important to see a doctor so that he can investigate