Hot flushes – which can vary from a slight feeling of warmth in the face, neck and chest to night sweats that affect your whole body – can sometimes indicate an infection.
It is also a symptom of several types of cancer, including leukaemia, lymphoma, mesothelioma, and cancer of the liver and bone.
General signs of cancer to look out for
IT’S important to be aware of any new or worrying symptoms.
While it’s unlikely to be cancer, it’s vital to get symptoms checked out by your doctor. Finding cancer early means it’s easier to treat.
If you experience the following symptoms, speak to your GP.
Coughing, chest pain and breathlessness
If you experience a cough for three weeks or more. Shortness of breath or chest pain can also be signs of pneumonia.
Changes in bowel habits
If you notice changes in your usual bowel habits that last three weeks or more. Changes include:
- Tummy discomfort
- Blood in your poo
- Diarrhoea or constipation for no obvious reason
- A feeling of not having fully emptied your bowels after going to the toilet
- Pain in your stomach or bottom (anus)
- Your poo is loose, pale or looks greasy
Bloating
If you’ve had bloating for three weeks or more.
Bleeding
If you experience unexplained bleeding such as:
- Blood in urine
- Vaginal bleeding between periods
- Vaginal bleeding a year or more after the menopause
- Bleeding from your bottom
- Blood when you cough
- Blood in your vomit
Lumps
If you notice a lump in your breast or if you have a lump that’s noticeable increasing in size somewhere else on your body.
Moles
If you have a mole that:
- Changes shape or looks uneven
- Changes colour, gets darker or has more than two colours
- Starts itching, crusting, flaking or bleeding
- Gets larger or more raised from the skin
Unexplained weight loss
If you’ve lost weight over the last couple of months that cannot be explained by changes to your diet, exercise or stress.
Tummy or back pain
If you have pain anywhere in your tummy or back and you’re not sure what’s causing it.
Indigestion and heartburn
If you experience indigestion, heartburn or acid reflux regularly and you’re not sure why.
Itchy or yellow skin
If the skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow – this could indicate jaundice. Also, if your pee looks darker than usual.
Feeling tired and unwell
If you think something isn’t right or you keep feeling tired or unwell and you’re not sure why.
