Be aware. If you’re unsure
We all know someone who has been affected by cancer in some way. Dr Lee Campbell, scientific projects and communication manager at Cancer Research Wales, describes the signs and symptoms in six common forms of the disease
Better research and improvements in service delivery mean more people are surviving cancer than ever before.
Nevertheless, the number of people diagnosed with cancer in Wales continues to steadily increase, with just over 19,000 new cases diagnosed in 2015.
The increased incidence of cancer stresses the need for people to be aware of the signs and symptoms of cancer where possible.
However the symptoms of cancer can be multiple, vague, and nonspecific as they are shared with many other unrelated and less serious conditions.
Therefore, it is imperative that we provide effective diagnostic tests that can help detect cancers earlier within the primary care setting.
As Wales’ leading cancer research charity, Cancer Research Wales is committed to diagnosing cancers earlier and improving cancer treatments to significantly improve the outlook for those who will develop cancer.
By working together we can really reduce the impact that cancer has on the Welsh population.
The latest data released by the Wales Cancer Intelligence Surveillance Unit show the six most commonly diagnosed malignancies in Wales are cancers of the breast (women), prostate (men), lung, bowel, melanoma (skin), and head and neck.
In this article we pull together some information which is readily made available by various healthcare providers on the signs and symptoms of the six most common cancers in Wales, which together account for more than 50% of all cancers. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Wales with more than 2,800 new cases in 2015.
However, early diagnosis and adherence to national breast screening programmes means that more than 85% of women diagnosed with breast cancer now live longer than five years. Signs and symptoms of breast cancer include:
A change in the size, shape or outline of one or both breasts
A lump in the breast. Although most lumps in the breast are not malignant it is important to get any checked, especially if the lump is new
Unexplained alterations to the appearance and shape of the nipple, which may include bleeding, a rash, inversion (sunken nipple), and unexpected discharge
Dimpling on the skin of the breasts, similar to the appearance of ‘orange skin’
Easily detected lumps and swellings (lymph glands) in the armpits that are firm and rubbery to touch. Just over 2,500 cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed every year in Wales.
Symptoms of prostate cancer are very similar to those of an enlarged prostate.
The latter is a more common, benign condition that affects many older men.
However, it is advisable to get any symptoms checked, especially if occurring for the first time or increasing in severity. Signs and symptoms of prostate cancer include:
Needing to urinate more frequently, that also occurs at night Difficulty in starting to urinate Weak flow of urine Straining and taking time to urinate
A feeling that your bladder hasn’t fully emptied
An increased urge to urinate and rush to the toilet
Symptoms associated with advanced prostate cancer may include, blood in urine or semen, pain in the back, hip and pelvis, erectile dysfunction and unexplained weight loss.
While the risk factors for prostate cancer are not fully understood, it is thought that certain genetic factors, family history, and African-Caribbean ethnicity increase the risk of developing prostate cancer. caused by smoking. Signs and symptoms of lung cancer include:
A persistent cough that lasts for more than two or three weeks
A long-standing cough that increases in severity or becomes painful Repeated chest infections Coughing up blood and signs of blood in phlegm(sputum) Persistent tiredness (fatigue) Loss of appetite and/or unexplained weight loss Persistent breathlessness. Other less common symptoms may also include persistent shoulder and chest pain, wheezing and hoarseness of voice, fever, swelling of face or neck Colorectal cancer is a term used to refer to tumours that occur in the bowel and/or rectum.
They represent the fourth most common cause of cancer in Wales, but the second leading cause of cancer death.
The national bowel screening programme helps to detect pre-cancerous polyps or early stage cancers when they are easier to treat.
When diagnosed at the earliest stage, five-year survival rates for bowel cancer exceed 90%.
Symptoms of bowel cancer are common to several other conditions