PHA highlights signs and symptoms on World Cancer Day

Today, on World Cancer Day (4 February), the Public Health Agency (PHA) is highlighting the signs and symptoms of cancer and encouraging people to seek medical advice from their GP if they are concerned.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic people may have concerns about a change in their body, but might be hesitant in contacting their doctor,” said Dr Louise Herron, Consultant in Public Health at the PHA.

“The earlier cancer is diagnosed, the greater the chances of survival, as treatments are more likely to be successful. It is important not to delay if you develop a sign or symptom which has the potential to be cancer.”

Examples of symptoms can include:

• coughing up blood or blood-stained phlegm (sputum);
• a persistent cough (for more than three weeks);
• a mole which begins to change, such as getting larger or inflamed, or developing irregular edges, or changing colour;
• blood in a bowel motion;
• starting to bleed again after the menopause;
• mouth ulcers that have not healed after three weeks;
• food regularly seeming to stick on the way down when you swallow.

If you experience any of these symptoms, please talk to your GP.

The PHA’s website www.becancerawareni.info provides information about cancer signs and symptoms, explains what to do if you’re concerned, and signposts to recommended sources of support or further information.

There are many things that people can do to reduce the risk of cancer including:

• If you smoke, stop. Visit www.stopsmokingni.info  for tips on helping you to quit;
• Keep alcohol consumption within safer limits. Advice on this can be found at www.drugsandalcoholni.info;
• Take regular exercise and aim to keep your weight within the recommended BMI range. Visit www.choosetolivebetter.com  for more information on simple steps that can help maintain a healthy weight;
• Avoid over-exposure to ultraviolet radiation from either sunbeds or the sun – use sunscreen, seek shade, wear sun glasses and a hat. Check your skin regularly for any changes.  See www.careinthesun.org for more information.

It is also important to make use of the range of cancer screening programmes that are available and to attend for screening when invited.

“We have three excellent cancer screening programmes in place to help detect the first signs of cancer,” said Dr Herron.

“These are for cervical, breast and bowel cancer, and they all play an important part of our efforts to catch cancer early.”

For more information on Northern Ireland screening programmes visit www.cancerscreening.hscni.net