More of us are getting cancer but more of us are surviving it, so if you have any symptoms you're worried about, see your GP sooner rather than later.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer normally causes no symptoms until the cancer has grown large enough to put pressure on the urethra.
It is the most common cancer in men.
If diagnosed early the chances of surviving for at least five years are 90 per cent. Diagnosed at a late stage, five year survival rates drop to 30 per cent.
Symptoms Include -
- Difficulties with urinating
- A weak flow
- Intermittency - a flow which stops and starts
- Hesitancy - having to wait before you start to go
- Urgency - finding it difficult to postpone urination
- Dribbling
- Peeing more often (usually during the night)
You should always contact your GP if you experience any of the symptoms above.
For more information, visit the Prostate Cancer UK website. (Opens in a new window)
Testicular Cancer
Testicular cancer is rare; although it is the most common cancer in younger men, this is because cancer is so rare in young people. However if you notice a lump in your balls see your GP straight away; it can be treated very successfully if caught early on.
Symptoms include -
- A lump in either testicle
- Any enlargement of the testicle
- A feeling of heaviness in the scrotum
- A dull ache in the abdomen or groin
- A sudden collection of fluid in the scrotum
- Enlargement or tenderness of the breasts
Testicular cancer may not cause any discomfort or pain, especially in the early stages. The most common symptom is a small painless lump.
Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer can be difficult to detect and diagnose as there are usually no symptoms or signs in the early stages.
Any symptoms people do have can be quite vague. An example is abdominal pain, which may start off as occasional discomfort before becoming more painful and frequent. The symptoms can also be a sign of other more common illnesses, which means that people may end up seeing their GP several times or being sent for a number of different tests before pancreatic cancer is even considered.
It is more common amongst older people; almost half of cases are diagnosed in over 75s, it is uncommon in under 40s.
An estimated 37 per cent of pancreatic cancers in the UK are linked to lifestyle factors, including smoking and obesity.
Symptoms include -
- Pain in the stomach or back
- Jaundice
- Unexpected weight loss
Lung Cancer
Each year an average of 80 men and 60 women are diagnosed with lung cancer in North Lincolnshire. Lung cancer is more common amongst the older ages; around 60 per cent of those diagnosed are over 70s, whereas it is rarer in under 40s. There are usually no symptoms in the early stages of lung cancer.
The most common initial symptoms of lung cancer include;
- A persistent cough (more than three weeks)
- A sudden change in a cough that you have had for a long time
- Unexplained weight loss, breathlessness
- Chest pain - this is usually intermittent (‘stop-start’) and is often made worse when breathing or coughing
- Coughing up blood-stained phlegm (haemoptysis).
Less common initial symptoms of lung cancer include; changes in the appearance of your fingers, such as them becoming more curved, or their ends becoming larger (this is known as finger clubbing); a high temperature (fever) or 38C (100.4F), or above; fatigue; difficulty swallowing and/or pain when swallowing, wheezing, a hoarse voice; and swelling of the face.
More information on Cancer support here
Smokers have a higher risk of lung cancer, with over 85 per cent estimated to be linked to smoking. Stopping smoking can reduce your risk of developing some cancers.
For help with stopping smoking contact the Hull's Stop Smoking Service
Get help to quit smoking here.
Alternatively, you can also telephone the Hull Stop Smoking Service via –
- telephone: 0800 3 247 111
- text: QUIT to 61825
