Record numbers of people are now living with cancer in the UK. New figures show there will be 3.4 million people with the disease in 2025 – the highest level ever reported.
Cancer support charity Macmillan has examined data which shows about 500,000 more people will be living with cancer by December 2025 compared with five years ago. The increase comes from a mixture of a growing and ageing population, a gradual rise in survival rates for some types of the disease and a rise in people diagnosed with cancers such as thyroid, liver and melanoma.
This includes around 890,000 women with breast cancer, 610,000 men with prostate cancer, 390,000 people with bowel cancer and 120,000 with lung cancer. However the charity warned the experience of having cancer is getting worse for many people, with delays to treatment and sometimes a postcode lottery of care.
However people can improve their chances of beating the disease if they spot it early. Experts at the University of California San Fransisco have listed 17 key signs and symptoms of cancer which people need to be aware of.
And they say anyone who spots them must never ignore them but seek medical advice. They said: “Early detection is one of the best weapons against cancer. Screenings can detect a cancer before symptoms appear.
“You too can pick up on early warning signs by paying close attention to changes in your body. If you notice something new or different that lasts several weeks – and several weeks is key – reach out to your health care provider.
“Not every symptom that could be cancer is cancer. But here are 17 symptoms that may warrant a call to your doctor”
Symptoms to look for and what they can mean
1. Abnormal periods or pelvic pain
Many women occasionally have irregular period or cramps. But ongoing pain or changes in your cycle can be a sign of cervical cancer, endometrial cancer or ovarian cancer.
2. Changes in bathroom habits
Major changes in bodily functions can indicate colon cancer, prostate cancer or bladder cancer, among other cancers. Important signs to be aware of include persistent constipation or diarrhoea; black or red blood in your stool; black, tarry stools; more frequent urination; and blood in your urine.
3. Bloating
We all feel bloated now and then. But bloating for more than two weeks can be a sign of ovarian cancer, as well as various gastrointestinal cancers.
4. Breast changes
These include a new lump, dimpling, discolouring, changes around the nipple or unusual discharge. Although breast cancer mostly occurs in women, men can develop it too.
5. Chronic coughing
A cough that persists for more than two weeks, especially a dry cough, can be a sign of lung cancer.
6. Chronic headache
A headache that lasts more than two weeks and doesn’t respond to the usual medications can be caused by a brain tumour.
7. Difficulty swallowing
If you feel as though food is getting stuck in your throat or you have trouble swallowing for more than two weeks, this can be a sign of throat cancer, lung cancer or stomach cancer.
8. Excessive bruising
A bruise on your shin from bumping into the coffee table is normal. But suddenly getting a lot of bruises in unusual places you don’t remember bumping can indicate various blood cancers.
9. Frequent fevers or infections
Spiking a fever over and over or going immediately from one infection to the next can indicate an immune system that’s been affected by leukaemia or lymphoma (Hodgkin’s or non-Hodgkin’s ).
10. Oral changes
Persistent sores, lesions or painful areas in the mouth, especially in people who smoke or drink heavily, can indicate various oral cancers.
11. Skin changes
Any changes in the appearance of a mole or birthmark could be indicative of skin cancer and should be evaluated. To remember which changes could be cause for concern, try using this memory aid, ABCDE.
- Asymmetry. One half of the mole or mark doesn’t look like the other.
- Border. The edges are irregular or blurred.
- Colour. It’s varied or inconsistent, and it’s both black and brown.
- Diameter. It’s larger than the size of a pencil eraser.
- Evolving. It grows, bleeds or otherwise changes over time.
12. Pain that lasts
Persistent pain anywhere in your body that has no clear cause and doesn’t respond to standard treatments should be evaluated.
13. Persistent fatigue
A sudden, lasting change in your energy level, no matter how much sleep you get, can be a sign of lymphoma or leukaemia.
14. Postmenopausal bleeding
There are a number of reasons you may experience bleeding after menopause, but if it persists, your doctor may want to check for cervical cancer or endometrial cancer.
15. Stomach pain or nausea
Unusual stomach discomfort that lasts more than two weeks can be a warning sign of liver cancer, pancreatic cancer or various digestive system cancers.
16. Unexplained weight loss
In most people, weight goes up and down. But losing weight when you’re not trying or losing your appetite for what seems like no reason can potentially indicate many types of cancers, especially ones that have spread.
17. Unusual lumps
Any new lump or mass that doesn’t go away should be evaluated. Lymph nodes, the small glands in the armpits, groin and neck that produce white blood cells to help fight infection, often become swollen when you have a cold. But if the swelling persists after you’re well, you should contact your doctor.
When to seek medical advice
If you spot any of these symptoms or have concerns about your health you should consult a GP or other health care provider.