Common signs and symptoms of cancer
Cancer can present with a variety of signs and symptoms, which can vary depending on the area of the body affected. Some common general symptoms include:
- Fatigue or extreme tiredness that doesn’t get better with rest (sometimes caused by anaemia or a low red blood cell count).
- Weight loss or gain of 10 pounds or more for no known reason.
- Eating problems such as not feeling hungry, trouble swallowing, belly pain, or nausea and vomiting.
- Swelling or lumps anywhere in the body.
- Thickening or lump in the breast or other part of the body.
- Pain, especially new or with no known reason, that doesn’t go away or gets worse.
- Skin changes such as a lump that bleeds or turns scaly, a new mole or a change in a mole, a sore that does not heal, or a yellowish colour to the skin or eyes (jaundice).
- Cough or hoarseness that does not go away.
- Unusual bleeding or bruising for no known reason.
- Change in bowel habits, such as constipation or diarrhoea, that doesn’t go away or a change in how your stools look.
- Blood in your stool.
- Bladder changes such as pain when urinating, blood in the urine, or needing to urinate more or less often.
- Fever or night sweats.
- Headaches.
- Vision or hearing problems.
- Mouth changes such as sores, bleeding, pain, or numbness.
Screening programmes
At Elm Trees Surgery we offer important screening programmes to help detect cancer early.
Cervical Cancer
Women can book an appointment with one of our Nurses at Elm Trees Surgery, for a cervical screening test (smear test), which helps to detect changes that could lead to cervical cancer.
Please call us on 0208 869 7910 to book your appointment.
Breast Cancer
Through the NHS Breast Screening Programme, women aged 50 to 71 are invited for regular breast screening (mammograms) to check for early signs of breast cancer.
The test helps find breast cancer early, when there is the greatest chance of cure. More info at https://nhslondon.short.gy/BreastScreening or alternatively contact us on 020 3758 2024.
Bowel cancer
In addition, if you are aged 50 to 74, NHS England will send you a home testing kit as part of the bowel cancer screening programme. This kit allows you to complete a simple test at home to help check for signs of bowel cancer.
Please take the test as the earlier we find cancer the more chance of cure. No test kit? Call 0800 7076060. See NHS website for more info at https://nhsuk.short.gy/bcs
Channels that can help support patients with cancer
Patients and their families can find support through various channels including:
- Macmillan Cancer Support: Offers a range of services, including Macmillan Support Line for confidential support and various events and fundraising opportunities.
- Online Cancer Support Hub – Aurora: Provides expert-curated resources, coping strategies and wellness tips to help manage cancer-related challenges.
- Cancer Support UK: Offers practical and emotional support including Cancer Coach Program for those who have completed treatment.
- Cancer Support UK: Offers practical and emotional support including the Cancer Coach Program for those who have completed treatment.
- FORCE Support and Information Centre: Hosts free support groups for cancer patients and their careers, focusing on shared experiences and mutual understanding.