World Cancer Day : 10 ‘red flag’ symptoms for Cancer

From a persistent cough to a sore that won’t heal… experts reveal the 10 ‘red flag’ symptoms that mean YOU could have cancer

• A long-term cough could indicate lung cancer, while a changing mole could be a sign you are suffering skin cancer, experts say
• Unexplained weight loss is a red flag for a number of forms of the disease, including liver cancer which claimed the life of David Bowie, aged 69
• Difficulty swallowing, an unexplained lump, unexplained bleeding and changing bladder habits are also red flag symptoms
• Persistent pain could be a sign of pancreatic cancer, that killed actor Alan Rickman – as well as many other forms of the disease
• Experts advise anyone displaying 1 or more red flags to visit their doctor  

A persistent cough, a sore that refuses to heal, unexplained weight loss and changing bladder habits.

They may seem innocuous, irritating facts of life.

But experts warn people not to dismiss them and six other key changes in the body, for fear they could be a sign of something far more sinister.

The 10 red flags for cancer are ingrained in the minds of doctors and healthcare workers the world over.

But on World Cancer Day, experts are reminding members  of the public to familiarise themselves with the key symptoms, in a bid to save lives.

Currently 8.2 million people die from the disease across the world each year – 4.7 million men and 3.5 million women.

Of those, four million deaths are premature, those people aged 30 to 69 years old.

In many cases early diagnosis can mean the difference between life and death for cancer patients.

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A survey by researchers on behalf of Cancer Research UK last year found almost half of those displaying at least one red flag for cancer did not visit their GP, thinking their symptoms ‘trivial’.

Among the signs are unexplained weight loss, which can indicate a number of forms of the disease, including liver cancer, which claimed the life of icon and singer David Bowie in January aged just 69.

Days later actor Alan Rickman lost his battle with pancreatic cancer, also aged just 69. One symptom of that disease – and other forms – is persistent and unexplained pain, experts say.