Signs and symptoms of cancer

This page covers some of the key signs and symptoms of cancer, which could help you spot cancer early. If you are looking for information on symptoms of a specific cancer type, go to our  cancer type webpages.

Visit our publications site for easy read information on spotting cancer early.

 

What signs of cancer can I look out for?

There are over 200 different types of cancer, and they all have different signs and symptoms. Some affect specific areas of the body, such as our tummy or skin. But symptoms can also be more general, such as weight loss, tiredness (fatigue) or unexplained pain. 

Some symptoms, like a lump, are better known than others. But this doesn’t mean they’re more important or more likely to be cancer. You should get any possible symptom of cancer checked out.

But as there are so many signs and symptoms of cancer, it would be impossible to remember them all. That’s why 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.

 

What are the key signs and symptoms of cancer?

We have listed some of the key signs and symptoms of cancer below. Talk to your doctor if you notice one of these, or any other unusual changes even if they aren’t on this list. 

Most of the time these symptoms will be caused by something less serious than cancer. But it’s still important to get checked out.

 

General cancer symptoms

Some symptoms are general, and could affect any part of the body, or the whole body.

Very heavy night sweats or fever

Sweating at night or having a high temperature (fever) can be caused by infections or a side effect of certain medications. It’s also often experienced by women around the time of the menopause. But speak to your doctor if you have very heavy, drenching night sweats, or an unexplained fever.

Unexplained bleeding or bruising

If you have unexplained bleeding or bruising when you have not hurt yourself, it important to get checked out by your doctor. This could be from anywhere in your body, and includes vomiting or coughing up blood. No matter how much blood or what colour it is (blood can be red, or a darker colour like brown or black), speak to your doctor.

Fatigue

There are lots of reasons why you may feel more tired than usual, particularly if you’re having trouble sleeping or are stressed. But if you’re feeling tired all the time, or if there is no clear reason you’re feeling tired, speak to your doctor.

Unexplained pain or ache

Pain is one way our body tells us that something is wrong. As we get older, it’s more common to experience aches and pains. But unexplained or persistent pain anywhere in the body could be a sign of something more serious. Speak to your doctor about it, especially if the pain is getting worse, or changes in any way.

Unexplained weight loss

Small weight changes over time are quite normal. But if you or other people think you have lost a noticeable amount of weight when you aren’t trying to, tell your doctor.

Unusual lump or swelling anywhere

Persistent lumps or swelling in any part of your body should be taken seriously. This includes any lumps in the neck, armpit, stomach, groin, chest, breast, or testicle. Speak to your doctor if you notice these.

 

Cancer symptoms in specific areas of the body:

Some cancer types may cause symptoms that affect a certain part of the body, either with or without general symptoms. Here are some key signs to look out for in different body areas:

 

Symptoms that affect your mouth, throat and speaking

Mouth or tongue ulcer or patch that won’t heal

It’s common to get ulcers (small sores) in the mouth, especially when you’ve been unwell. But, they usually get better in about two weeks. You should report an ulcer or red or white patch that doesn’t heal after three weeks to your doctor or dentist.

Difficulty swallowing

You may feel pain or a burning sensation when you swallow. Or your food may stick in your throat or chest. Some medical conditions can make it difficult to swallow, but talk to your doctor if the problem doesn’t go away.

Croaky voice or hoarseness

Having a croaky voice or feeling hoarse can be common with colds. But a croaky or hoarse voice that hasn’t gone away should be checked out by a doctor.

 

Symptoms that affect your breast or chest

Unusual breast or chest changes

Look out for any change in the size, shape or feel of your breast or chest, or any skin changes, redness, or pain in the breast. Speak to your doctor if you notice any changes not normal for you.

Nipple changes

Nipple changes should be checked by a doctor. This includes changes to the look, position, or feel of a nipple, or fluid leaking from the nipple (discharge) if you’re not pregnant or breastfeeding. This fluid could also be blood stained.

 

Symptoms that affect your breathing

Breathlessness

It’s not unusual to feel out of breath every now and then. But if you notice that you’re feeling breathless more than usual, all the time, or for no reason, tell your doctor.

Persistent cough

Coughs are common with colds and some other health conditions, but an ongoing cough can be a sign of cancer. If a cough doesn’t go away in three weeks, it changes or keeps getting worse, it’s always best to speak to your doctor.

 

Symptoms that affect your tummy

Persistent bloating

It’s quite common to experience a bloated or swollen tummy that comes and goes. But if you feel bloated most days, even if it isn’t all the time, talk to your doctor.

Persistent heartburn or indigestion

Sometimes you might feel slight discomfort or pain in the middle of your chest during or after eating. This is more likely after a large, fatty or spicy meal, or if you’ve had alcohol. But if you have heartburn (acid reflux) or indigestion a lot, or if it is particularly painful, then you should see your doctor.

Appetite loss

There are many things that can make people not feel as hungry as normal. But, if you’ve lost your appetite and it’s not getting better, speak to your doctor.

 

Symptoms that affect your poo or pee and genitals

Problems peeing

Problems peeing might include needing to go more often or urgently, experiencing pain when peeing, or not being able to go when you need to. It’s important to talk to a doctor if you’re experiencing any of these.

Bowel changes

Let your doctor know if you’ve noticed a change in your bowel habits. A change in bowel habits can include constipation, looser poo and diarrhoea, or pooing more often.

Blood in poo or pee

If you notice blood in your poo or pee, or if you see blood on toilet paper, or in the toilet, speak to your doctor. Blood in your poo might be red, but it could also turn your poo dark black and tarry.

Unexplained vaginal bleeding

Vaginal bleeding that is unexplained can have many different causes and often isn’t cancer. But if you have noticed any bleeding between periods, after sex, or after the menopause, it should always be checked by a doctor. This includes any unexplained blood in your vaginal discharge.

 

Symptoms that affect your skin

Sore that does not heal

The skin repairs itself very quickly and most cuts or wounds heal within a week, or so. When a spot, wart or sore doesn’t heal, even if it’s painless, get it checked by a doctor.

Skin and nail changes

Any unusual change in a patch of skin or a nail, whether it’s a new change or has been there for a while, should be checked out by your doctor. This could be a patch that was previously normal, or has changed colour or shape.

New mole or changes to a mole

Most moles are harmless. But be aware of any new moles or existing moles that change in size, shape or colour, become crusty, itch, hurt, bleed or ooze. The ABCDE checklist gives more details about the key changes in a mole that you should tell your doctor about.

Yellowing of the skin or eyes

If you notice the skin, or the whites of your eyes are consistently yellow (jaundice), it might be a sign of cancer. If you think you might have jaundice, you should speak to your doctor.

 

When should I tell my doctor about my symptoms?

It isn’t your job to know whether something is serious or not. Cancer can affect different people in different ways, and symptoms won't always be painful or affect your day-to-day life, especially in the early stages. So the best thing you can do is listen to your body. If something doesn’t feel quite right, you’ve noticed an unusual change, or you are worried about cancer, speak to your doctor.

And if you’ve seen the doctor about something already, but your symptoms have continued, keep coming back, or have got worse - make another appointment.

Even if it isn’t cancer, it might be something else your doctor can help with. Or, it might be nothing at all. But your doctor would rather you checked with them again, than miss something important. You’re never wasting their time.

We know talking to your doctor can be difficult, especially when you are worried. Find our key tips for talking to your doctor.

 

Who does cancer affect?

Anyone can develop cancer at any age. But cancer is more common as we get older, and most cases are in people aged 50 or over.

It’s important not to put any unusual changes, aches or pains down to ‘just getting older’ or assume a symptom is because of a health condition you already know about.  

Whatever your age, it’s always best to listen to your body and talk to your doctor if something is not normal for you.

Find out more about age and cancer