TOP-TO-TOE CANCER CHECK
Do a quick rundown from your head to your toes of any symptoms to discuss with your GP. Remember, this doesn’t mean you have cancer, rather that you have a symptom that needs investigating. Learn your ‘normals’, then if something changes, you will notice it and can seek medical advice. Here are the signs to look for:
HEAD: headaches that are worse on lying down, or associated with vomiting or double vision, need urgent medical help. Also, new weakness in a limb, new seizures or a change in personality.
SKIN: any changing mole, be that growing, developing irregular edges or more than two colours, or has become itchy or numb. Also, red, scaly patches or non-healing ulcers on the skin.
HEAD AND NECK: any new lesion in your mouth, including an ulcer or red/white patch, a hoarse voice or lump in the neck that lasts for more than three weeks, or difficulties swallowing.
CHEST: any cough that lasts for more than three weeks, coughing up blood, or pain on breathing.
BREASTS: everyone, male or female, should check their breasts monthly. There is no right or wrong way to examine your breasts, just
make sure you cover the whole breast up to the collarbone and in the armpits. Any changes to the nipples or skin, or any thickened areas or lumps need to be assessed. The breast screening programme in the UK involves an X-ray of the breasts (mammogram) every three years for women between the ages of 50 and 70.
ABDOMEN: heartburn/indigestion for more than three weeks, persistent abdominal pain or unintentional weight loss.
ANY CHANGE IN BOWEL HABIT: for example, your stool becomes looser persistently; or you see blood in your poo or urine. Bowel screening starts at age 60 (50 in Scotland) and involves a stool sample. Depending on your area, you may also be offered a one-off sigmoidoscopy at age 55 (camera in the bottom to look at the lower part of the bowel).
GYNAECOLOGICAL CHECK: bleeding in between your periods, bleeding after sex, bleeding after the menopause, change to your vaginal discharge (which may be malodorous), abdominal or pelvic pain, or bloating. The cervical screening programme checks for precancerous changes to cells in the cervix and is offered every three years between ages 25 and 49, then every five years until age 64. MEN’S HEALTH CHECK: urinating more frequently than normal, having to wake up to pass urine more than twice a night, difficulty starting urination (hesitation) or dribbling afterwards. Men should also check their testicles by feeling gently for any lumps or masses.
HIDDEN CANCERS: some cancers typically present earlier than others, for example you are more likely to notice a changing mole on the back of your hand than one on your upper back, or more likely to act on blood in your urine than a more subtle sign. Ovarian and pancreatic cancers are often considered to be hidden cancers, as they tend not to present until later on. Symptoms of ovarian cancer include pelvic or tummy pain, tummy swelling, a feeling of bloating and early fullness, or a need to urinate more frequently than normal. Pancreatic cancer may present with abdominal pain or with fatigue. If you have been feeling tired all the time, or have had unintentional weight loss, where you lose weight even though you’re not trying, please see your GP.
Learn your body’s ‘normals’ and if something changes, you can seek advice