Opportunistic public education
Symptom variation from different cancers is vast and there are several red flag symptoms. People should seek medical attention when they have a change in normal function. When assessing people, safety netting should be provided, explaining when and why they should return. Some symptoms that should ring alarm bells are:
- Worsening breathlessness
- Persistent cough
- Unexplained haemoptysis
- Voice hoarseness
- Unexplained vaginal bleeding
- Post-menopausal bleeding
- Persistent indigestion
- Dysphagia
- Unexplained jaundice
- Unresolved oral ulcers over 3 weeks
- Night sweats
- Breast lumps or changes
- Abdominal bloating
- Unexplained weight loss
- Rectal bleeding
- Change in bowel habit
- Haematuria
- Persistent urinary tract infections
- Suspicious pigmented skin lesion
- Urinary urgency and frequency
- Persistent lump or mass
- Unexplained pain/ache
- Persistent and unexplained fatigue
- Bone pain/swelling
There are some very useful resources to provide support, guidance and practical referral recommendations for general practitioners.
- NICE - Suspected cancer: recognition and referral guidelines (June 2015)
- This gives healthcare professionals guidance on referral recommendations based on cancer by site of origin. There are some new suggestions that have been added in 2015.
- BMJ - Adult cancer infographic identifying NICE guidance on referral for cancer (July 2015)
- This is an easy-to-use and colourful infographic on adult referral guidelines for suspected cancer based on symptoms produced by BMJ.
- BMJ - Childhood cancer infographic identifying NICE guidance on referral for cancer (July 2015)
- This is a BMJ infographic on child referral guidelines for suspected cancer based on symptoms.
- MacMillan Cancer Support Rapid Referral Guidelines
- This has been produced by MacMillan based on NICE guidelines with input from MacMillan GPs. This is not a substitute for clinical acumen and should be used as guidance.