Catch It Early: Why Spotting Cancer Sooner Makes a Big Difference
The NHS isn’t just here to treat you when you are unwell. A major priority is to help you stay well and avoid serious illness wherever possible.
Early detection of cancer is a key part of this. When cancer is found early, treatment is often easier, and outcomes are better.
At Park Medical Group, we want to support you to stay healthy and feel confident about when to seek help.
You can find more information about detection, screening and cancer prevention including and easy-read and video guides in our Resources section. Either search for keywords, or select Cancer in the category filter.
Why Early Detection Matters
Cancer is often much more treatable when it is found early.
Early detection has two vital parts – screening and knowing the symptoms.
Screening is for people who are generally well. Tests look for commons cancers, or their risks, at the earliest stage – often long before you notice anything wrong.
Knowing the symptoms , like sudden changes or anything that feels unusual for you is important. When something doesn’t feel right, you should get it checked. Below are some key symptoms for common cancers.
Please remember, screening is for when you are well. If you have any symptoms, see a Doctor straight away – don’t wait for your next screening appointment.
Knowing the Symptoms
For each common cancer below, we’ve highlighted the main symptoms to watch for. You may not have all symptoms, or notice them at the same time. We’ve also included key facts and links for more information.
Cervical Cancer
- Unusual vaginal bleeding — after sex, between periods, or after menopause.
- Pain during sex or in the lower back or pelvis.
- Changes in vaginal discharge.
If you experience any symptoms of cervical cancer, contact us as soon as possible
There are around 3,300 cases each year in the UK, most new cases are in women aged 30-34. Almost all cases are linked to high risk–HPV infection. Almost all case are also preventable.
Screening is offered to anyone with a cervix from age 25 to 64.
Our Resources section has more videos explainers and easy read guides, as well as information in other languages. Search cervical.
Bowel Cancer
- Blood in your poo, or bleeding from your bottom.
- Change in bowel habits for more than three weeks.
- Tummy pain, weight loss, tiredness, or a lump in your abdomen.
If you have any symptoms of bowel cancer for 3 weeks or more, and are unusual for you, contact us as soon as possible.
Bowel cancer is common, with over 44,000 cases annually. Age is a big factor, with cases peaking in the 85-89 age range, but family history, being overweight, a low fibre diet with too much ready meat and alcohol, and smoking all increase risk.
Bowel screening is done with at-home test kits. If you’re aged 50 to 74, you’ll be sent one every 2 years.
An easy-read guide, and video for how to use the kit can be found by searching bowel on our Resources page.
Breast Cancer
- A lump or thickening in the breast or under your arm.
- Change in the size or shape of your breast.
- Skin changes, like dimpling or swelling.
- Nipple changes, such as turning in or fluid discharge.
Checking your breast regularly will help you notice changes. You should see a Doctor if you experience any symptoms of breast cancer.
There are nearly 57,000 cases of breast cancer in the UK each year – the most of any cancer. It’s most commonly diagnosed in women over 50, but can happen at other ages. Men can get breast cancer too.
You can also find videos and easy read guide by searching breast in our Resources section.
Testicular Cancer
- A lump or swelling in a testicle.
- Pain or heavy/firm feeling in the scrotum.
- Some may feel ache in the lower tummy or back.
See our Movember updates for how to check your testicles. See a Doctor if you have symptoms of testicular cancer.
The most common cancer in men aged 30-34, with 2,400 cases yearly in the UK.
Search testicles in our Resources for easy-read and video guides.
Bladder Cancer
- Blood in your urine, even just once, or if it comes and goes.
- Needing to pee more often or suddenly.
- Pain or burning when peeing.
- Back or tummy pain, or unexplained weight loss.
Ask for an urgent GP appointment if you think you have blood in your pee.
Bladder cancer risk increases with age. It’s higher for men – 1 in 55 men in the UK will get bladder cancer versus 1 in 130 women. Smoking is a major factor. Risk is 2-4 times higher for current smokers.
Search bladder in our Resources for an easy-read guide.
Lung Cancer
- A cough that does not go away after three weeks.
- A cough that changes or becomes worse.
- Breathlessness, chest pain, or coughing up blood.
- Repeated chest infections.
- Weight loss or feeling more tired than usual.
Symptoms may not develop early, so it’s important to notice changes in your health.
Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK with over 49,000 annual cases. Smoking is the biggest risk factor, but as many as 1 in 5 new cases are non-smokers.
If you are a current or former smoker aged 55 to 74, you might be offered a lung health check, which can help determine your risk of lung cancer.
It’s important that your smoking status is on your GP’s health record – contact us to check or update us.
An easy-read guide to targeted lung cancer screening can be found by searching lung in our Resources section.
Prostate Cancer
- Difficulty starting to pee or a weak flow.
- Needing to pee more often, especially at night.
- A feeling that your bladder has not emptied fully.
- Blood in your urine or semen.
- Pain when peeing.
Prostate cancer often doesn’t have obvious symptoms in the early stages. And you can get have these symptoms without it being a sign of prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in UK men, with over 55,000 new cases each year. Risk increases with age, especially after 50. Men with a family history, and men of Black ethnicity, have a higher risk. You can check you risk of prostate cancer in 30 seconds online.
There’s no national screening programme, but you can ask one of our Doctors about a simple blood test if you are over 50 (or 45 if you risk is higher).
An easy-read guide about prostate changes can be found by searching prostate in our Resources section, or choosing the Men’s Health in the Category Filter.
You Are in Control
Noticing early signs of cancer is about staying proactive and looking after your health.
If something feels different or unusual, speak to a Doctor. You don’t need to wait — we are here to support you every step of the way.