We are supporting Wessex Cancer Alliance with their awareness campaign, ‘Know the Signs’. The aim of this campaign is to improve people’s awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer.

1 in 2 people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, but so it is really important to know what signs to look out for and when to seek advice from your GP Practice.

Scroll down for more information or visit the Cancer Matters Wessex website by following this link>>

We want to help people identify the warning signs and to know when to seek medical advice. If more people know the signs of cancer, then more will have a better chance of surviving their cancer.

Survival rates for cancer have improved so much over the last 50 years that we are now seeing approximately 50% of people diagnosed with cancer surviving for ten years or more – this is even more likely if the cancer is diagnosed at an early stage.

Some of the most common signs and symptoms of cancer are:

• A new lump/bump that wasn’t there before.
• Sudden, unexplained weight loss Blood in your poo or your urine
• Feeling tired all the time
• Breathlessness Bloating/swelling
• Changes to your skin.

9 times out of 10 your symptoms will not mean you have cancer. It is better to know as early as possible so you can either rule out cancer or get the treatment you need quickly.

This image below from Macmillan Cancer Support shows what to look out for in different parts of the body

Download and view a PDF copy of this image here>>

Urgent Suspected Cancer Referrals (Fast Track Referrals)

Cancer Matters Wessex have a dedicated page with details for patients about what they can expect if they are referred by their GP for a suspected cancer. 

https://cancermatterswessex.nhs.uk/fast-track-referrals/  

Support for patients from Charities

There are numerous cancer charities that can support and advise someone who is diagnosed with cancer or awaiting a diagnosis. Some of these are generic cancer support and others are for specific types of cancer. There are also many resources that can be downloaded, printed or ordered for delivery, to support awareness raising. You can check out othe Cancer Matters Wessex website for more links to support and charities.

https://cancermatterswessex.nhs.uk/  

Cancer Screening 

38% of cancers in the UK are preventable.  Cancer Matters Wessex also have dedicated pages on their website, that explain the different Cancer Screening programmes available on the NHS in the UK. We encourage people to take up their invitation for Screening (e.g. breast, cervical, bowel) when offered.

https://cancermatterswessex.nhs.uk/cancer-screening-and-prevention/