With cancer, early diagnosis can often lead to better outcomes that’s why it’s really important to get signs and symptoms checked by a GP or through a screening programme.
Most people who get cancer now survive 5 years or more and this is even more likely if it is detected early. If you’re worried that something doesn’t feel quite right and would like more information to help you decide whether to seek medical advice, you may wish visit Cancer Matters Wessex ‘Know the signs’ website. It’s full of advise about the signs and symptoms and encourages people to get checked if they are concerned. Please see the details below for more information.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Cancer
- A new lump/bump that wasn’t there before
- Sudden, unexplained weight loss
- Blood in your poo or your urine
- Feeling tired all the time
- Breathlessness
- Bloating/swelling
- Changes to your skin
9 times out of 10 your symptoms will not mean you have cancer. It is better to know as early as possible so you can either rule out cancer or get the treatment you need quickly.
You can watch this video in other languages
Keeping Yourself Well – Top Tips
- Eat a healthy balanced diet to maintain a healthy weight
- Drink alcohol in moderation – the less alcohol you drink, the lower your risk of cancer
- Be smoke free – not smoking is the best thing you can do to prevent cancer
- Use sunscreen and spend time in the shade on sunny days
- Keep moving! Walking, running, cycling or swimming – whatever you most enjoy, it’s good to stay active
For more information about living healthily, and links to organisations who can support you, click here to visit Cancer Matters Wessex
Communities Against Cancer
At Action Hampshire we know that some communities find it more difficult to access health screenings of visit a GP. This could be for cultural reasons or a lack of understanding about cancer due to language barriers or other communication challenges.
Through our Communities Against Cancer project, we help address this inequality. We have links with organisations representing the seldom-heard communities and run workshops which empower these organisations to inform their beneficiaries about cancer and the importance of getting checked.
We offer grants to eligible organisations so that they are able to raise awareness of cancer in a way which resonates with their community. Whether it’s organising storytelling events, healthy eating classes or using interpreters and speakers, our Communities Against Cancer project will support you in delivering the cancer awareness to your beneficiaries.
Follow this link to visit our Communities Against Cancer information
Why not join a Cancer Awareness Workshop?
These are FREE online information sessions which are open to any VCSE organisations in Hampshire and Isle of Wight. The dates are:
- Wednesday 20 November at 10:30
- Thursday 5 December at 13:00
- Wednesday 15 January, 10:00
- Friday 20 February, 14:00
- Wednesday 4 March, 10:30
Follow this link to find out more about the sessions and register your FREE place
Know the signs of cancer
If you’d like more information about the signs and symptoms of cancer and when to seek medical advice, you can access Cancer Matters Wessex’s Know the Signs resources.
