Common signs and symptoms
If you’ve had a persistent cough for over 3 weeks, or you’ve been coughing up blood, you should contact your GP practice. It’s probably nothing serious, but they’ll be able to check it over for you and see if there’s anything they can do to help. If it hasn’t yet been 3 weeks, but something just doesn’t feel right, it’s still worth a visit.
Click here for more information on symptoms relating to particular types of cancer.
If you’ve had a sore throat for 3 or more weeks, persistent hoarseness that’s causing your voice to sound raspy or stained, or if you’ve completely lost your voice, you should contact your GP practice. It’s probably nothing serious, but they’ll be able to check it over and see if there’s anything they can do to help.
Click here for more information on symptoms relating to particular types of cancer.
If you’ve had difficulty swallowing for 3 weeks or more, you should contact your GP practice. It’s probably nothing serious, but they’ll be able to check it over for you and see if there’s anything they can do to help. If it hasn’t yet been 3 weeks, but food feels like it’s stuck when you swallow, or something just doesn’t feel right, it’s still worth a visit.
Click here for more information on symptoms relating to particular types of cancer.
Mouth ulcers are very common and most of them heal fairly quickly. However, if you have a mouth ulcer that isn’t healing, or you notice red or white patches inside your mouth that aren’t going away, you should visit your dentist or your GP practice. It’s probably nothing serious, but it’s definitely worth going to get checked over. Remember, you’re not wasting anyone’s time.
Click here for more information on symptoms relating to particular types of cancer.
If you have unexplained swelling in the neck, face or mouth, you should contact your GP practice. It’s probably nothing serious, but they’ll be able to check it over and try to identify what’s causing the swelling. Remember, you’re not wasting anyone’s time.
Click here for more information on symptoms relating to particular types of cancer.
Feeling sick occasionally is not unusual, and will usually go away on its own. However, if you have persistent feelings of nausea, you’re feeling very drowsy, or you’re vomiting and don’t know why, you should contact your GP practice. It’s probably nothing serious, but it’s definitely worth going to get checked over. Remember, you’re not wasting anyone’s time.
Click here for more information on symptoms relating to particular types of cancer.
If you’ve been experiencing difficulty with your vision, such as double vision or unexplained blurring, it’s worth a visit to either your GP practice or an optician. You should also contact your GP practice if you’re having problems with your speech or in expressing yourself. It’s probably nothing serious, but they’ll be able to see if there’s anything they can do to help.
Click here for more information on symptoms relating to particular types of cancer.
Almost everyone gets headaches from time to time, but if you’re experiencing frequent and severe sore heads, you should contact your GP practice. It’s probably nothing serious, but they’ll be able to check it over and see if there’s anything they can do to help.
Click here for more information on symptoms relating to particular types of cancer.
It’s not unusual to feel out of breath every now and then, but if your breathing is difficult or uncomfortable, or it sometimes feels like you’re struggling for air, you should contact your GP practice.
Click here for more information on symptoms relating to particular types of cancer.
A chest infection is an infection in either the lungs or large airways (bronchi). Some are mild and clear up on their own, but others can need further investigation. If you're experiencing frequent chest infections, or you have an on-going chest infection that isn’t showing signs of getting any better, you should contact your GP practice.
Click here for more information on symptoms relating to particular types of cancer.
If you’re experiencing pain in your ribs, the wall of your chest or when you breathe, and you’ve had these symptoms for 3 weeks or more, you should contact your GP practice. It might be nothing, but they’ll be able to check it over for you. If it hasn’t yet been 3 weeks, but you’re in a great deal of pain, or something just doesn't feel right, it’s still worth a visit to get checked over.
Click here for more information on symptoms relating to particular types of cancer.
If you find a lump in your breast, armpit or around your collarbone, don’t worry. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have cancer, but if the lump is still there after 2 weeks, it’s important you get it looked at by your GP practice quickly – just to rule it out.
Attending breast screening when invited can also help find tiny cancers before they can be seen or felt.
For more information on breast cancer, including breast screening, click here.
If you notice any change to your nipple or the skin on your breast, it’s important you get it looked at by your GP practice. They’ll be able to check it over, just to make sure it’s nothing serious.
Attending breast screening when invited can also help find tiny cancers before they can be seen or felt.
An abscess is a collection of pus under the skin. It will feel hot, tender and may make the skin red. If you have an abscess that isn’t showing signs of going away, you should contact your GP practice sooner rather than later. It’s probably nothing serious, but it’s definitely worth going to get it checked over. Remember, you’re not wasting anyone’s time.
Click here for more information on symptoms relating to particular types of cancer.
Stomach cramps and mild or sharp abdominal pain can be caused by a number of things, most of which aren't serious. However, if you’re experiencing ongoing and unexplained stomach discomfort or pain, you should contact your GP practice.
Click here for more information on symptoms relating to particular types of cancer.
If you’ve been feeling bloated most days for 3 weeks or more, you should contact your GP practice. It's probably nothing serious, but it’s definitely worth getting checked over. Remember, you’re not wasting anyone’s time.
Click here for more information on symptoms relating to particular types of cancer.
Heartburn and indigestion are normal, especially after eating a large or spicy meal. But if you’ve been experiencing regular heartburn or indigestion for 3 weeks or more, you should contact your GP practice. It’s probably nothing serious, but it’s definitely worth going to get it checked over. Remember, you’re not wasting anyone’s time.
Click here for more information on symptoms relating to particular types of cancer.
If you have a noticeable mass, lump or swelling in your belly, or you’re experiencing a lot of unexplained pain in your abdomen, you should contact your GP practice. It might not be anything serious, but it’s definitely worth getting checked over. Remember, you’re not wasting anyone’s time.
Click here for more information on symptoms relating to particular types of cancer.
If you’ve noticed blood in your poo or you’ve been experiencing bleeding from the bottom, you should contact your GP practice. You should also go if you’ve noticed persistent changes in your bowel habits, especially if you’ve been experiencing looser poo for more than 4 weeks.
Click here for more information on symptoms relating to particular types of cancer.
If you’ve been experiencing bleeding during or after sex, bleeding between periods, or you’ve had unusual or unpleasant vaginal discharge, you should contact your GP practice. You should also go if you’re experiencing post-menopausal bleeding. It might not be anything serious, but it’s definitely worth getting checked over. Remember, you’re not wasting anyone’s time.
Click here for more information on symptoms relating to particular types of cancer.
If you’ve been experiencing any pain or discomfort during sex, you should contact your GP practice. It might not be anything serious, but it’s definitely worth going to get checked over - just to rule it out.
Click here for more information on symptoms relating to particular types of cancer.
If you’ve been experiencing on-going pain or random sharp pains anywhere in the area below your belly button, or if you’re experiencing pain in this area during or after sex, you should contact your GP practice. It might be nothing, but they’ll be able to check it over for you and see if there’s anything that will ease the pain. Remember, you’re not wasting anyone’s time.
Click here for more information on symptoms relating to particular types of cancer.
If you’ve noticed blood in your pee, your pee is consistently a dark yellow colour, you need to pee more often or more urgently than normal, or you have pain when urinating, you should contact your GP practice. It might be nothing, but it’s definitely worth getting checked over. Remember, you’re not wasting anyone’s time.
Click here for more information on symptoms relating to particular types of cancer.
If you notice anything different or unusual in either of your testicles such as painless swelling, a lump in either testicle, a change in shape or texture of either testicle, or a dull ache or sharp pain in your testicles or scrotum, you should go and contact your GP practice. These symptoms don’t necessarily mean it’s something serious, but it’s definitely worth going to get checked early. Remember, you’re not wasting anyone’s time.
Click here for more information on symptoms relating to particular types of cancer.
If you notice a bump, lump, cyst or spot on your penis that isn't showing signs of clearing up, you should contact your GP practice. It’s probably nothing serious, but it’s definitely worth getting checked early. Remember, you’re not wasting anyone’s time.
Click here for more information on symptoms relating to particular types of cancer.
If you’ve started to notice an unusual feeling of heaviness in your scrotum, or you’re experiencing any unexplained pain, discomfort or numbness, you should contact your GP practice. It might not be anything serious, but they’ll be able to see if there’s anything they can do to help. Remember, you’re not wasting anyone’s time.
Click here for more information on symptoms relating to particular types of cancer.
Most moles are completely harmless. However, if any new or existing moles start to change in size, shape or colour, become crusty or start to bleed, you should contact your GP practice. You should also pay them a visit if you have bruising that isn’t healing, an ulcer that isn't going away, or if you have a skin sore that starts to itch, scab, crust or bleed.
Click here for more information on symptoms relating to particular types of cancer.
Jaundice causes your skin and the whites of your eyes to turn a yellow-ish colour. If you notice these symptoms, you should contact your GP practice. They’ll be able to have a closer look and see if there’s anything they can do to help. Remember, you're not wasting anyone's time.
Click here for more information on symptoms relating to particular types of cancer.
If you’ve been experiencing a feeling of tenderness in one of your bones, or a dull or deep ache in a particular bone anywhere in your body, you should contact your GP practice. It doesn’t matter if the pain only occurs now and then, you should still go and get checked over soon rather than later. You should also go if you’re experiencing swelling or inflammation around a particular bone.
Click here for more information on symptoms relating to particular types of cancer.
Back pain is very common and it’s rarely anything serious – most cases will slowly get better with time. However, if you’re experiencing persistent and unexplained back pain, it’s definitely worth a visit to your GP practice.
Click here for more information on symptoms relating to particular types of cancer.
If you’re experiencing unintentional weight loss, you’ve completely lost your appetite, you feel full after eating small amounts, or eating makes you feel sick, you should contact your GP practice. It might be nothing, but they’ll ask you a few questions and try to get to the bottom of the problem. Remember, you’re not wasting anyone’s time.
Click here for more information on symptoms relating to particular types of cancer.
Most infections go away on their own or are able to be treated. However, if you start to experience infections on a regular basis, you should contact your GP practice. It’s probably nothing serious, but it’s definitely worth having a chat. Remember, you’re not wasting anyone’s time.
Click here for more information on symptoms relating to particular types of cancer.
If you’ve been feeling overly tired with no explanation, you’re breathless after small tasks, you have a complete lack of energy or you’re finding it hard to concentrate and don’t know why, you should contact your GP practice. It’s probably nothing serious, but it’s definitely worth having a chat. Remember, you’re not wasting anyone’s time.
Click here for more information on symptoms relating to particular types of cancer.
If you start to wake up in the night due to excessive sweating, you should contact your GP practice. Chances are it’s nothing serious, but they’ll be able to put your mind at ease and see if there’s anything they can do to help.
Click here for more information on symptoms relating to particular types of cancer.
If you’re experiencing a new persistent pain, or an old pain is getting worse with no explanation, you should contact your GP practice. It doesn’t matter where the pain is in your body, if it’s not going away after a couple of weeks, or if it’s getting worse not better, it’s worth getting checked over.
Click here for more information on symptoms relating to particular types of cancer.