Serious symptoms and safety netting
Spotting Cancer
Some links on this page have been colour coded to make it easier to find the information you need:
As the NHS suggests
“It’s important to be aware of any new or worrying symptoms. Although it’s unlikely to be cancer, it’s important to speak to a GP so they can investigate. Finding cancer early means it’s easier to treat. If your GP suspects cancer, they’ll refer you to a specialist – usually within 2 weeks.”
“Signs and symptoms of Cancer.” The NHS website. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
WHAT SYMPTOMS SHOULD MAKE you CONSIDER CANCER?
As Cancer Research points out “Children’s cancer is much less common than adult cancer” and “Children develop different types of cancers than adults” ( What is children’s cancer? | Cancer Research UK) so we have highlighted in bold specific information on children’s cancers with the other information applying to adults.
From Macmillan Cancer Support
Signs and symptoms of cancer Worried about cancer? Cancer signs and symptoms | Macmillan Cancer Support
From the Thames Valley Cancer Alliance
Campaigns: Information on early diagnosis of some common cancers including videos Campaigns – thamesvalleycanceralliance.nhs.uk
From the NHS
- Signs and symptoms of Cancer Cancer – Signs and symptoms – NHS
- Unintentional weight loss Unintentional weight loss – NHS
From Cancer Research UK
- Signs and symptoms of cancer Signs and symptoms of cancer | Cancer Research UK
- Spot Cancer Early Spot cancer early | Cancer Research UK
- Signs and symptoms of cancer in children Signs and symptoms of cancer in children | Children’s cancers | Cancer Research UK
Childhood cancers including
- Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia – NHS
- Retinoblastoma (eye cancer in children) Retinoblastoma (eye cancer in children) – NHS
- Neuroblastoma Neuroblastoma – NHS
From Patient info
- Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms | Medical Diagnosis | Patient
- When to worry about a persistent cough? When to worry about a persistent cough | Patient
- Children’s Cancers Children’s Cancers | Health | Patient
From NICE
Though from NICE normally provides guidance for clinicians this has been written for patients, and is divided up by parts of the body.
- Symptoms that might suggest cancer Symptoms that might suggest cancer | Information for the public | Suspected cancer: recognition and referral | Guidance | NICE
- Symptoms of cancer in children and young people Symptoms of cancer in children and young people | Information for the public | Suspected cancer: recognition and referral | Guidance | NICE
SKIN CANCER
See the section “Skin cancer”, for information on how an early diagnosis of skin cancer can be made, under
Other information
Further information can be found on:
SAFETY NETTING
It is likely you have been sign posted to information on spotting cancer, as part of a process called “safety netting.” This is explained in detail under
In summary:
“Safety-netting advice is information shared with a patient or their carer designed to help them identify the need to seek further medical help if their condition fails to improve, changes, or if they have concerns about their health.”
Peter Edwards et al. Published in British Journal of General Practice. November 2019.
clinical level information
From NICE
This guidance from NICE intended for clinicians provides exact details of who to refer urgently for assessment to exclude cancer and is organised by “by site of cancer” and then “by symptoms”:
- Suspected cancer: recognition and referral” Overview | Suspected cancer: recognition and referral | Guidance | NICE
- Recommendations organised by site of cancer Recommendations organised by site of cancer | Suspected cancer: recognition and referral | Guidance | NICE
- Recommendations organised by symptom and findings of primary care investigations Recommendations organised by symptom and findings of primary care investigations | Suspected cancer: recognition and referral | Guidance | NICE
- Childhood cancers – recognition and referral Childhood cancers – recognition and referral | Health topics A to Z | CKS | NICE
NICE Cancer Specialities centre (similar information to above but presented differently in places)
- Cancer (Detailed information on recognition and referral of common cancers) Cancer | Specialities | CKS | NICE
- Skin cancers – recognition and referral Skin cancers – recognition and referral | Health topics A to Z | CKS | NICE
- Melanoma: How should I assess a lesion? Assessment | Diagnosis | Melanoma | CKS | NICE
From Macmillan Cancer Support
Rapid Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer (“They are a NICE-endorsed summary”) Rapid Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer | Macmillan Cancer Support
Fast track referral
The “urgent suspect cancer referral” pathway is explained under
information on cancer including SUPPORT AFTER A DIAGNOSIS OF CANCER
Adults
There is further information on cancers in adults including finding support for any cancer diagnosis under
- Cancer- Adults
This includes both local and national support for specific cancers but also general aspects of cancer.
Children
Childhood cancers are not common. Further information and both local and national support can be found under
Reducing your risk of cancer
Information on how you can reduce your risk of cancer can be found under
Videos and podcasts
On the videos and podcasts page there are links to some relevant videos and podcasts covering the topic of spotting cancer.
- Videos And Podcasts – see section “wellbeing and disease prevention”.
