Cancer is something that will affect a staggering 1 in 2 people in the UK and 1,000 people each day are diagnosed with it.
Sadly, though, only half of people with cancer live for 10 years or more after diagnosis which is why it’s so important to spot as early as possible.
That’s the reason medical experts are always urging people to be vigilant and listen to your body about the signs and symptoms of cancer that you might easily miss or mistake for something else – because early diagnosis and intervention gives you or your loved one the best possible chance of survival.
Cancer Research has issued a list of 23 common and easily overlooked symptoms that could indicate someone has cancer and should contact their doctor.
According to the NHS, 1 in 2 people will develop cancer in their lifetime and in the UK, the four most common types of cancer are breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer and bowel cancer.
But it isn’t just smokers and red meat eaters who are at risk of cancer (although both of those have been proven to increase your risk of cancer), but there are various types of cancer that can develop in all sorts of ways in otherwise healthy people.
And there is one type of symptom you can only spot at night: heavy sweating.
It’s unclear why some types of cancer cause night sweats. This may happen because your body is trying to fight the cancer. Hormone level changes may also be a cause. When cancer causes a fever, your body may sweat excessively as it tries to cool down.
Of course, night sweats can be a sign of someothing else, such as exercising before bed, drinking hot drinks in bed, drinking too much alcohol or setting your heating too high.
But if it has started happening suddenly, it could be one of the 23 key red flag symptoms of cancer to watch out for, according to Cancer Research UK.
There are 23 common symptoms of cancer to look out for according to Cancer Research UK, which are:
- Very heavy night sweating
- Fatigue
- Unexplained bleeding or bruising
- Unexplained pain or acne
- Unexplained weight loss
- An unusual lump or swelling anywhere on your body
- A new mole, or a change to a mole
- Skin changes or a sore that won’t heal
- Croaky voice, hoarse voice or a cough that won’t go away
- Coughing up blood
- Difficulty swallowing
- Breathlessness
- Persistent heartburn or indigestion
- Unusual changes to the size or feeling of your breast
- Persistent bloating
- Loss of appetite
- A change in bowel habit such as constipation, looser stool or going more often
- Blood in your stool
- Unexpected vaginal bleeding including after sex, between periods or post-menopause
- Blood in your urine
- Problems urinating
The NHS says about spotting cancer: “It’s important to be aware of any new or worrying symptoms.”
“Although it’s unlikely to be cancer, it’s important to speak to a GP so they can investigate. Finding cancer early means it’s easier to treat.”
“If your GP suspects cancer, they’ll refer you to a specialist usually within 2 weeks.”
Cancer Research UK adds: “There are over 200 different types of cancer that can cause many different signs and symptoms. Sometimes symptoms affect specific areas of the body, such as our tummy or skin. But signs can also be more general, and include weight loss, tiredness (fatigue) or unexplained pain.”
“It’s important to be aware of what is normal for you and speak to your doctor if you notice any unusual changes or something that won’t go away. This can help to diagnose cancer at an early stage, when treatment is more likely to be successful.”