Half don’t know warning signs

WIDESPREAD confusion about cancer symptoms is leading to delayed diagnoses and irregular self-examinations.

One in two people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer. However, 42 per cent are confused about what to check for when it comes to common cancers such as skin, bowel or lung, a Bupa survey of 2,008 adults has found.

Some 45 per cent said it was hard to remember the warning signs or physical changes they should look for and, as a result of this, 38 per cent had never checked themselves.

Just 48 per cent said they looked for symptoms at least once a month.

Awareness varies greatly for types of cancer, with 45 per cent of women checking for breast cancer at least once a month and 34 per cent of men regularly checking for testicular cancer.

However, symptoms of bladder and pancreatic cancer are far less known and understood.

Bupa has created a simple Cancer Check-CUP guide, which suggests looking out for the acronym CUP – change, unexplained, persistent.

If anyone experiences all three signs they should seek medical advice.

Dr Luke James, from Bupa UK Insurance, said: ‘Survival rates continue to improve, however many of us aren’t looking for the symptoms of certain cancers or can’t identify them which is leading to delays in diagnosis.’