Could this be cancer?

Symptoms:

You’ve just gone through the menopause. You’ve found a small lump in your breast. You’re in your middle 60s and you’ve noticed that you’ve become constipated after always being regular. You occasionally have bouts of abdominal pain and bloating and you’ve noticed your stool is a blackish colour. You’re in your early 70s and you’ve noticed you have to get up several times to pass urine. Your stream is weak and there’s been blood in your urine.

It could be:

BREAST CANCER. There are many different types, the more aggressive cancers will need radical treatment with surgery, chemo and radiotherapy. The majority of breast lumps aren’t cancer. BOWEL CANCER. The fourth most common cancer in the UK. It is far more common in people over 50.

BLADDER CANCER. It could also be a sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI). But if you’ve noticed blood in your pee – even if it’s just the once – see your doctor.

Next step:

See your doctor as soon as possible. You might need a referral to a breast cancer clinic for assessment and treatment. See your doctor immediately. You might need a referral to a specialist for investigation, diagnosis and treatment. See your doctor. They might ask you to give a urine sample or refer you to a urologist for a diagnosis. Depending on the cancer treatment can involve surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy or a combination of all three.

Good news:

78% of patients survive breast cancer for 10 or more years, 27% of breast cancer cases are preventable. 57% of patients survive for 10 or more years. 54% of cases are preventable. 50% of patients survive for 10 years or more. More than 40% of bladder cancer cases are preventable.