People are ignoring early warning signs of cancer. Here's what they are indy100 indy100 Indy100 logoNewsletter sign upRegister/Sign inTop 100NewsViralPoliticsCelebritiesScience & TechVideoWishlistWishlistBooksFashion & BeautyFood & DrinkHome & GardenKidsSports & FitnessTechTravel & OutdoorsMoreScience & techVideoConversationsSportIdentitiesLifestyleShowbizTVSearchxNews

People are ignoring early warning signs of cancer Here' s what they are

Steve Connor (editedJan 26, 2015 People are failing to heed the early warning signs of cancer because they fear that they may end up wasting their doctor’s time over trivial symptoms, a study has found. Many of the so-called “red flag” warning signs are still being ignored, a patient survey has shown. Some people said they failed to see a doctor because they were worried that their GP would view it as a trivial matter. Others said they feared a cancer diagnosis, adopted a stiff upper lip, lacked confidence in the health system or simply put it down to ageing. Others believed their symptoms would go away of their own accord, according to Cancer Research UK, which carried out the survey of more than 1,700 people over the age of 50. Potential early warning signs of cancer include:A persistent cough or hoarseness, a lump, diarrhoea or constipationUnexplained weight loss or a sore that does not healBlood in vomit, urine or faeces, bleeding between periodsA feeling of not having fully emptied your bowels after going to the toilet are other signsMoles with an irregular shape or jagged edges should be checked by a GP. More: How to not get cancer, according to the experts

US actors Reynolds and McElhenney to be honoured by people of Wales

How will the next prime minister and Tory leader be chosen

Ellis-Bextor to get the party started at new show for Edinburgh s Hogmanay

Please log in or register to upvote this article

Top 100

Man endures ' 29 hour flight' with screaming kids for the entire trip

flightplanechildflightOct 12, 2022

How likely is it that Boris Johnson could be prime minister again

Boris Johnsonboris johnsontory leadership contesttory leadership racetory leaderTory leadershiptory leadershipConservativesconservative partyConservative Partyconservative leadership raceconservativesBoris JohnsonOct 21, 2022

The Rocky career of Dwayne Johnson

Dwayne Johnsonthe rockblack adamwweDwayne JohnsonOct 21, 2022

Lorraine Kelly hits out at Madonna' s ' boiled egg' face

madonnamadonnalorraine kellygmbshowbizplastic surgeryOct 11, 2022

Elon Musk is actually selling a ' Burnt Hair' fragrance

elon muskthe boring companyperfumeelon muskburnt hairOct 12, 2022

Jon Stewart slams Arkansas attorney general for her ' anti-trans law'

lgbt+transgenderlgbt+jon stewartapple tvarkansasus newsnewsOct 11, 2022

Just Stop Oil protester praised for ' great' explanation of soup stunt

just stop oilvan goghprotestclimate activistsjust stop oilOct 19, 2022

Couple spark debate for ' scandalous' wedding cake topper

wedding caketiktokwedding cakeviralOct 12, 2022

Love Island star shows extent of how far influencers edit photos

Love IslandOct 11, 2022

Steven Seagal describes Putin as one of ' greatest world leaders'

steven seagalOct 10, 2022

Lizzo wears empowering shirt after being fat-shamed by Kanye West

lizzoOct 10, 2022

A lettuce just outlasted Liz Truss' stint as prime minister

Liz TrussOct 20, 2022

Newsnight guest says ' you can' t treat mortgages like prime ministers'