Cancer Support

Cancer Information and Support

Early diagnosis saves lives. This page helps you recognise symptoms, understand NHS screening programmes, and find trusted support.

If you have any symptoms that are new, ongoing, or not normal for you, please contact the practice.

Cancer Symptoms: What to Look For

You do not need to memorise every cancer symptom, just listen to your body. If something is new or unusual for you, get it checked.

General symptoms

• Very heavy night sweats
• Fatigue that isn’t normal for you
• Unexplained bleeding or bruising
• Unexplained pain or ache
• Unexplained weight loss
• An unusual lump or swelling
• Any mole that changes in size, shape, or colour
• A wound or sore that won’t heal

Breathing / upper airway symptoms

• Persistent cough or hoarseness
• Coughing up blood
• Breathlessness
• Persistent heartburn or indigestion

Mouth symptoms

• Mouth or tongue ulcer lasting >3 weeks

Breast or chest symptoms

• Any new change to size, shape, or feel
• Skin dimpling or nipple changes

Abdominal / bowel symptoms

• Persistent bloating
• Loss of appetite
• Change in bowel habit (new constipation, looser stools, going more often)
• Blood in your poo

Urological / gynaecological symptoms

• Unexpected vaginal bleeding (after sex, between periods, or after the menopause)
• Blood in your pee
• Trouble urinating

If you have any of these symptoms and they persist, contact the practice for advice.

NHS Cancer Screening Programmes

Screening aims to detect cancer early often before symptoms appear.

Bowel Screening (50 to 74)

You’ll receive a FIT (poo) test every 2 years.

• Quick, simple, done at home
• Saves lives by detecting early bowel cancer

Learn more on the NHS website

Breast Screening (women and some trans people aged 50 to 70)

• Breast X-ray (mammogram) every 3 years.

Learn more on the NHS website

Cervical Screening (women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64)

• Checks for high-risk HPV that can cause cervical cancer.

Learn more on the NHS website

National Support