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2010-08-27 08:37:25
Woman coughing Coughing up blood can be an early sign of cancer
The eight unexplained symptoms most closely linked to cancer have been
highlighted by researchers.
The Keele University team also points to the age at which patients should be
most concerned by the symptoms, which include blood in urine and anaemia.
The other symptoms are: rectal blood, coughing up blood, breast lump or mass,
difficulty swallowing, post-menopausal bleeding and abnormal prostate tests.
Cancer Research UK said unusual changes in a person's health should be checked.
Continue reading the main story
Start Quote
There are more than 200 different types of cancer, which cause many different
symptoms
End Quote Cancer Research UK spokesman
The researchers were looking for symptoms which gave a one in 20 or higher
chance of turning out to be cancer.
Although this still represents a relatively low chance of anyone with the
symptom having the disease, any suspicion of cancer can mean that the patient
is sent for tests more quickly, in order to catch the disease as early as
possible.
The figure for each symptom was calculated by combining the results of 25
previous studies.
They found that, if the patient was below the age of 55, there were only two
signs which reached the 'one-in-20' threshold.
These were a rectal prostate examination which gave abnormal results, and a
breast lump.
After 55, but only in men, there was evidence that difficulty swallowing could
be a sign of oesophageal cancer, while blood in the urine was highlighted as a
particular concern for men and women aged over 60.
'Not the only signs'
Dr Mark Shapley, who led the research, said: "GPs should audit their management
and reflect upon these cases as part of their appraisal to improve quality of
care.
Continue reading the main story
Eight signs of cancer
"There should be more open public debate on the level of risk that triggers a
recommendation for referral by a GP."
Professor Amanda Howe, honorary secretary of the Royal College of General
Practitioners, said: "It's useful to see these well-known 'red flag' symptoms
and signs validated in primary care research, and reinforces the importance of
encouraging patients to discuss worrying symptoms early with their GP."
However, a spokesman for Cancer Research UK said that these were by no means
the only potential warning signs for cancer.
"The particular symptoms this study has highlighted are already thought of as
important potential signs of cancer, but there are more than 200 different
types of cancer, which cause many different symptoms.
"So if you notice an unusual or persistent change in your body it's important
to get it checked out. When cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, treatment is
often more likely to be successful."