Odd bruises, unexplained bloating, and night sweats may seem harmless—or even familiar—but according to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), they could be early signs of cancer.
In a recent public health campaign, the NHS urged people not to ignore subtle or persistent bodily changes, stressing that early detection can save lives. “Checking your body regularly is the first step that can save your life,” said Professor Peter Johnson, the NHS’s national clinical director for cancer. If something feels off, don’t wait—get it checked out.”
The Danger of Dismissing Everyday Symptoms
Many cancer symptoms mimic everyday issues. Fatigue, indigestion, or back pain are easy to shrug off—but they can also be early indicators of serious illness, particularly when they persist or appear alongside other changes.
Here are 18 signs the NHS advises you to take seriously:
- Persistent abdominal bloating
- Unexplained weight loss
- Night sweats
- Bleeding after sex
- Blood in the stool
- A new or changing lump under the skin
- Skin that itches, scabs, crusts, or bleeds
- Indigestion or trouble swallowing
- Nausea that won’t go away
- A lump in the upper abdomen
- Changes in bowel habits
- Unexplained fatigue
- Back pain with no clear cause
- Needing to urinate more often
- Loss of appetite
- Changes in skin color or mole shape
- Nipple discharge or skin dimpling (breast cancer)
- Swelling or lumps in the breast
“These symptoms don’t automatically mean cancer,” said Owen Carter, clinical advisor at Macmillan Cancer Support. “But being aware of the possibility—and getting evaluated early—can dramatically improve survival rates.”
Timing Matters
One of the biggest challenges? Delayed diagnosis. According to NHS data, many people fail to associate common issues like heartburn or bloating with cancer. And in a recent survey, only 40% of respondents said they noticed health changes in themselves at least once every three weeks.
Meanwhile, the NHS found that smartphones and finances get more attention than our health. “People check their bank accounts more often than their bodies,” Professor Johnson noted.
Early Detection Saves Lives
Encouragingly, the NHS reported that more than 80% of patients who recognized early warning signs received a timely and accurate cancer diagnosis. Early detection benefits are greater treatment success and a higher chance of recovery.
Take the example of Rob McPherson, a football player from Manchester. He noticed unusual symptoms, saw a doctor early, and completed treatment successfully. “Anyone can get cancer,” he said. “If something doesn’t feel right, go get it checked. Thanks to that early diagnosis, I’m back playing football and spending time with my family.”
The Bigger Picture
Macmillan estimates that by the end of this year, over 500,000 more people in the UK will be living with cancer. With that number expected to rise, health experts are pushing a simple but powerful message: Listen to your body.
“Don’t panic at every symptom,” Carter added, “but don’t ignore them either.”
Whether it’s a lump, a strange pain, or a change in digestion—it’s worth a second look. If it turns out to be nothing, you’ve lost nothing. But catching it early could make all the difference if it’s something serious.
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