Listed here are some of the possible symptoms of cancer. If you are worried that you may have any of them, tell your GP.

If you have any of these symptoms, it doesn’t mean that you have cancer.  Most people who find lumps in their breasts, for instance, don’t have breast cancer.  If you don’t have cancer, your doctor can put your mind at rest.

But it is better to be safe than sorry.  When cancer is found at an earlier stage it is easier to treat and many people can be cured.   It is very importnat to know what is normal for your body and to look out for any unexplained persistent changes.

• your bowel or bladder habits change for no reason, and don’t go back to normal (for example, you get looser or more frequent bowel motions, or you can’t pass water as easily)

• you have a cough or hoarseness that lasts for more than 3 weeks

• you have a mouth or tongue ulcer that last more than 3 weeks
   
• you have any unusual bleeding or discharge from anywhere in the body (for example, coughing up blood, or you have blood in your urine or bowel motions)
   
• you have a mole that changes its colour, shape or size
   
• you have a sore that does not heal
   
• you find it hard to swallow, or you keep getting indigestion
   
• you can feel a lump or thickening anywhere on your body (for example in your neck, armpit, groin, breast or testicles)
   
• Unexplained weight loss or heavy night sweats.

• Unexplained pain or ache that lasts for more than 4 weeks.

• an unusual breast change,  for information about how to examine your breasts and changes to look out for click here.
• bleeding from the vagina after menopause or between periods.