Cancer signs and symptoms

Spotting cancer early saves livesWhen cancer’s found at an early stage, treatment is often easier and more likely to be successful. So finding cancer sooner rather than later can make a real difference.

Knowing the signs and symptoms of cancer is important. It’s also really important that you know your body.

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Knowing your body

Knowing what is normal for you and your body is important. If you know what’s normal for you, it’ll be easier to notice when something’s different.

If you notice any unexplained or persistent change, it’s important to get it checked out by your doctor.

Quite often when people notice something different about themselves, they don’t think much of it. This often happens as people get older, because they expect their bodies to start behaving differently.

But don’t be tempted to put something unusual down to ‘getting older’ before you’ve seen a doctor - let them know what you’ve noticed, even if you’re not concerned by it. Chances are it is nothing to worry about, but it’s better to play safe.

If it is something serious, finding it early and getting treatment started can make a real difference.

There are more than 200 different types of cancer that can cause many different symptoms. Although experts have agreed on some of the most important signs and symptoms to look out for, it’s not possible to know all of them. That’s why knowing what’s normal for you is important. It means you’re more likely to recognise something different about yourself.