Spotting cancer symptoms early increases the chances of survival (Image: Getty)
One in two people in the UK will develop a form of cancer in their lifetime, but early diagnosis can significantly improve the chance of survival.
Cancer causes cells in a specific part of the body to grow and reproduce uncontrollably and, if left untreated, the cancerous cells can then invade and destroy surrounding tissues.
It is common for cancer to start in one part of the body before spreading to other areas, with breast, lung, prostate and bowel cancer being the most common forms of the disease in the UK.
Being able to spot the signs and symptoms of cancer is key as it means you can start treatment earlier when the cancer is still in the early stages. Early cancer symptoms can be difficult to detect but any bodily changes that are unusual should be assessed by a GP.
Health experts say that how you feel when you wake up in the morning can be a telltale sign of cancer, with people urged to see a doctor if they experience a “persistent” sore throat or cough.
Abbas Kanani, pharmacist at , explains: “Smokers often wake up with a cough in the morning. However, a persistent cough for longer than two weeks should be checked out. Especially if you smoke.”
A persistent cough can be a key warning sign of lung cancer, while a sore throat could indicate cancer of the throat, laryngeal or thyroid.
A third early morning symptom to watch out for is fatigue, particularly if you continue to feel exhausted throughout the day.
Mr Kanani adds: “It’s normal to feel a little tired in the morning, but if this is not usual for you, or you are noticing fatigue lasting throughout the day, you should get this checked out.”
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Persistent tiredness is one of the most common signs of cancer, particularly if it is accompanied with other symptoms such as night sweats.
Sweating during the night can be a very early sign of some cancers, but most notably of lymphoma, which is a type of blood cancer. If your symptoms are persistent, it’s advised that you speak to your GP to identify the cause.
Of course it’s important to remember that these symptoms don’t necessarily mean that cancer is the cause, as they can also be common symptoms of other things, but it is worth getting checked by your GP to rule out anything more serious.