Early signs of cancer

If you notice any new or unusual lumps or swelling on your body that don’t go away, especially in your neck, armpit, breasts or chest area, abdomen (belly) or groin, it’s important to see your doctor.

Being aware of changes in your breasts and chest and learning how your breasts feel at different times will help you to understand what is normal for you. Learn more about breast cancer symptoms.

If you are still having periods, your breasts can feel different at different times of the month. It may be normal for your breasts to be painful, lumpier or swollen just before your period and softer after your period.

That’s why it’s important to know what is normal for your breasts and check your breasts regularly – especially as you get older and the risk of breast cancer increases.

Changes to look out for include lumps or lumpiness, swelling around the armpit or collarbone, unusual nipple discharge or crusting, a nipple that turns inwards (if it hasn’t always been that way), a change in shape or size, an unusual pain or a change in skin texture. You can use our step-by-step guide on how to check your breasts.

If you see or feel any changes in your breasts, it is important that you see your doctor as soon as possible.

There is no definitive description of what skin cancer looks like. It could be a sore on your skin that itches, bleeds or doesn’t heal. They can often appear to be red, scaly or crusty. If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to tell your doctor. Learn more about skin spots to watch out for. 

Some spots on the skin are nothing to worry about, but others could be skin cancer. When it comes to the successful treatment of skin cancer early detection is critical. Becoming familiar with your own skin and regularly self-checking your body for signs of change is the best way to catch skin cancer early.

Look out for new spots or sores that don’t heal. Keep an eye on spots that look different to others on your body, spots that have changed in size, shape, colour or texture. If you notice any of these signs, see your doctor and seek their expert opinion. Learn more about skin spots to watch out for. 
 

If you have any unusual bleeding or pain during sex, something isn’t right. These symptoms may be caused by something other than cancer, but the only way to know is to see a doctor.

Unusual bleeding is a common symptom across all types of gynaecological cancer and can include a change in your periods, heavier than usual bleeding, bleeding between periods, constant bleeding without a break between periods, bleeding after sex, and bleeding or spotting after menopause. Learn more about symptoms of gynaecological cancers.
 

Ongoing pain or discomfort in your upper stomach, or reflux that seems to be getting worse, should not be ignored. While these symptoms are often caused by common issues like indigestion, ulcers or reflux disease, they can sometimes indicate more serious conditions including cancer.

Pay attention if your symptoms are persistent, getting worse over time or not relieved by usual treatments. Seeing your doctor for a check-up can help identify the cause and, if needed, ensure you receive the right treatment as early as possible.

Trouble swallowing, feeling like food gets stuck or experiencing pain when you swallow are symptoms worth taking seriously. While they can be related to minor conditions like reflux or infections, persistent swallowing problems can also be a warning sign of cancers of the oesophagus, throat or stomach.

If swallowing becomes difficult or uncomfortable, speak with your doctor. They can investigate the cause, provide treatment or refer you for further tests.

Changes in your bowel habits are common and often do not indicate a serious problem. But if you notice a change in your bowel habits that is unusual for you and lasts more than four weeks, it could be something more serious, like bowel cancer.

Unusual changes in your bowel habits can include diarrhoea, constipation, change in time or how often you poo, or a change in the appearance of your poo (narrower or mucus in your poo). Learn more about bowel cancer symptoms.

Any amount of blood in your poo is not normal, and you should see your doctor for a check-up immediately.

Small weight changes over time are normal. But if you have noticeably lost weight without changing your diet or activity levels, it’s important you see your doctor as it can be a symptom of a range of different cancers.

A persistent cough is a common symptom of the common cold or flu and often goes away after a week or so. But if you have a new cough that lasts more than three weeks, a cough you have had for a long time that’s getting worse, or you cough up blood (even small amounts), it’s important to see your doctor. It could be a sign of lung cancer, especially if you smoke or have smoked in the past. Learn more about lung cancer symptoms.
 

It’s not unusual to feel out of breath or breathless every now and then. But if you notice you’re feeling out of breath more than usual, it’s important you tell your doctor because difficulty breathing can sometimes be a symptom of lung cancer. Learn more about lung cancer symptoms.