Cancer Support.
Spotting cancer at an early stage saves lives.
What is Cancer?
Cancer is a condition where cells in a specific part of the body grow and reproduce uncontrollably. The cancerous cells can invade and destroy surrounding healthy tissue, including organs.
1 in 2 people may develop some form of cancer during their lifetime. According to the NHS website, in the UK the most common types of cancer are:
Have you been referred for an urgent appointment?
Read our information leaflet below for guidance regarding your referral.
Signs and symptoms
It’s unlikely that the symptoms you’re suffering from are signs of cancer, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you have any symptoms of a potential cancer, please speak to your GP to get them checked.
Click the button below to visit the NHS website, where you can see potential signs of many different cancers. If you suffer from any of the symptoms, contact your GP for an assessment.
Bowel Cancer Screening – FIT test
NHS bowel cancer screening checks if you could have bowel cancer. It’s available to everyone aged 60 to 74 years. The programme is expanding to make it available to everyone aged 50 to 59 years. This is happening gradually over 4 years and started in April 2021. You can also call to request a kit if you are aged 75 and over and wish to continue to take part in screening.
For any questions or queries contact the national bowel screening hub on 0800 707 6060.
Always see a GP if you have any symptoms of bowel cancer at any age, even if you have recently completed an NHS bowel cancer screening test kit – do not wait to have a screening test.
Breast Screening
Cancer screening involves testing apparently healthy people for early signs of cancer.
The NHS Breast Screening Programme invites all women from the age of 50 to 70 registered with a GP for screening every 3 years. This means that some people may not have their first screening mammogram until they are 52 or 53 years.
Click here to watch videos about what to expect during a breast screening appointment and more information about local services.
Cervical Screening (Smear Test)
Cervical screening, which used to be called smear test, is a test to check the health of the cervix and help prevent cervical cancer. It's offered to women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64.
The cervical screening test aims to pick up changes early that could develop into cervical cancer if left untreated.
Further Support
Macmillan offers support to help everyone with cancer live life as fully as they can, by providing physical, financial and emotional support. Call for free from the UK on 0808 808 00 00 8am – 8pm.
Cancer care map is an online resource that aims to help you find cancer support services in your local area wherever you are in the UK.