The NHS has identified 22 of the most common cancer symptoms, encouraging people to seek medical advice if they notice persistent changes. According to Dr Jiri Kubes, Radiation Oncologist and Medical Director at the Proton Therapy Center, ‘Many of the NHS-listed warning signs are deliberately broad, because cancer can present in many different ways.’

While many of these changes in health are common and often harmless, it is their persistence or progression that may warrant further investigation. Some are subtle and easy to dismiss, while others are more immediately noticeable.

The NHS’ list includes:

• A new lump or swelling anywhere on your body
• Sweating a lot (particularly at night) or a high temperature that lasts a long time or keeps coming back
• Feeling more tired than usual
• Unusual bruising or bleeding (such as bleeding from your bottom, blood in your pee or vomiting blood)
• Pain anywhere in your body that’s not usual for you
• Losing weight without trying or feeling less hungry than usual
• Needing to pee more often or more urgently, or pain when you pee
• A new mole, or changes to a mole anywhere on your body
• Changes in your skin, such as a rash or sore that does not get better
• The whites of your eyes or your skin looking yellow (jaundice) – yellow skin may be harder to see on black or brown skin
• Heartburn or indigestion that’s frequent, very painful or gets worse
• A swollen tummy (bloating) that happens often or lasts a long time
• Changes in your poo, such as needing to poo more or less often than usual, diarrhoea or constipation that does not get better or gets worse
• Problems swallowing
• A hoarse or croaky voice that does not get better
• A sore or ulcer in your mouth that does not get better
• White or red patches in your mouth
• A cough that does not get better or gets worse
• Shortness of breath that does not get better or gets worse
• Coughing up blood
• Difficulty getting an erection
• Blood in your semen

While the list is broad, Dr Kubes says some symptoms warrant particular attention.

‘Symptoms I particularly encourage people not to ignore include unexplained bleeding, persistent changes in bowel habits, a lump that is new or changing, ongoing difficulty swallowing, and a cough lasting more than three weeks or a change in an existing chronic cough. These are not always cancer, but they are signals that warrant medical assessment.’

He also highlights symptoms that are frequently dismissed.

‘Fatigue that does not improve with rest, subtle but persistent pain, changes in appetite, and mild but ongoing bloating are often dismissed – especially when bloating is persistent and associated with changes in appetite or feeling full quickly,’ he says. ‘People also overlook gradual changes, such as a mole altering in colour or size, or a persistent hoarse voice, because they develop slowly.’

Dr Kubes explains that it is often not the symptom alone, but how long it lasts, whether it worsens, or whether it appears alongside other changes that raises concern.

‘A harmless symptom usually resolves within a short period,’ he says. ‘A potentially serious one tends to last beyond two to three weeks – what some refer to as the “three-week rule” – worsen over time, or be accompanied by unexplained weight loss, bleeding, or significant fatigue.’

‘As a general guide, symptoms lasting more than three weeks without improvement should prompt a GP appointment, or if there is a noticeable change in a chronic cough,’ he warns. ‘In some cases – particularly worsening pain or difficulty breathing – earlier assessment is appropriate.’

Certain symptoms should prompt urgent medical advice rather than a wait-and-see approach. These include unexplained bleeding and sudden neurological symptoms such as weakness or speech changes, ‘which may have several causes, including stroke,’ Dr Kubes says.

‘Persistent vomiting, severe unexplained pain, or a rapidly growing lump should be assessed urgently. Some symptoms, such as coughing up blood or sudden neurological changes, require immediate assessment rather than waiting.’

‘Any unexplained bleeding should be discussed with a doctor as soon as possible. It does not always indicate cancer, but it is never something that should be ignored,’ he adds.

If you do see your GP, they will take a full history and carry out an examination.

‘Depending on findings, they may arrange blood tests, imaging, or refer the patient under an urgent suspected cancer pathway for specialist assessment,’ says Dr Kubes. ‘Many people referred under this pathway do not ultimately have cancer, but it ensures timely investigation.’

For anyone hesitant about booking an appointment, he offers reassurance:

‘No symptom that concerns you is a waste of time. Doctors would far rather assess a symptom and reassure a patient than see someone delay seeking help. Early investigation, when necessary, leads to better outcomes.’

Kate is a fitness writer for Men’s Health UK where she contributes regular workouts, training tips and nutrition guides. She has a post graduate diploma in Sports Performance Nutrition and before joining Men’s Health she was a nutritionist, fitness writer and personal trainer with over 5k hours coaching on the gym floor. Kate has a keen interest in volunteering for animal shelters and when she isn’t lifting weights in her garden, she can be found walking her rescue dog.