ABCD of Cancer

Cancer is one of the biggest killers in the UK. One in two people born in the UK after 1960 will be diagnosed with some form of cancer during their lifetime. Anyone can develop cancer, but it becomes more common as we get older.

Your risk of developing cancer depends on many factors, including age, genetics and lifestyle, but in some cases, the exact cause is difficult to determine. However, it is well known that two in five cancer cases in the UK each year are preventable and are linked to lifestyle factors.

Spotting cancer early will improve your survival rate, so it’s important that you recognise the signs and act. One of the best things that you can do is remember to go along for screening when you are recalled by your GP practice – it is one of the most effective ways to identify any early signs of cancer.

Learn more about the types of screening that are offered via the NHS.

Know the Symptoms: ABCD of Cancer

Recognising cancer symptoms early can save lives. Our ABCD of Cancer campaign from the Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System makes it easier to identify potential warning signs across seven different cancer types.

What are the signs of cancer?

The ABCD approach provides a simple, memorable framework tailored to each cancer:

Breast cancer
Bowel cancer
Lung cancer
Kidney and bladder cancer
Gynaecological cancers
Testicular and prostate cancer
Skin cancer

While most symptoms won’t be cancer, it’s important to speak to your GP if you notice anything unusual. The earlier cancer is found, the more effective treatment is likely to be.

Explore our resources below to learn about the specific ABCD symptoms for each cancer type, watch videos from local healthcare professionals, and find out about NHS screening programmes that help detect cancer at its earliest stages.

Together, we can improve cancer outcomes across mid and south Essex through early detection.

Breast cancer

Early diagnosis of breast cancer increases your chances of successful treatment. In this video, Dr Riya Amin talks about the ABCD of breast cancer symptoms and what you should be looking out for. If you notice anything different or unusual in your breasts, then get it checked. Remember to regularly check your breasts for any changes.

Know the symptoms – ABCD of breast cancer

Hello, my name is Dr Riya Amin, and I have an important message for you about breast cancer.

If you’re worried about any signs or symptoms that you may be experiencing that you
think could be breast cancer, it’s really important that you speak to your GP as early as possible.

Symptoms to look out for include:

A – Appearance.
Do your breasts look or feel different? Do you look or feel like you’ve lost weight without trying to?

B – Bump.
Do you have any new lumps or bumps with or without pain in your breast or armpits?

C – Changes to the nipple.
Does your nipple look different or has any liquid been coming out of the nipple?

D – Discomfort.
Do you have any pain in your breast that does not go away?

Usually the chances are this isn’t cancer and won’t be serious. But, is important to find cancer early so treatment can start sooner and there’s a better chance of being cured.

The earlier breast cancer is diagnosed and treated, the more successful treatment is likely to be. Please do not hesitate to speak to your GP if you notice something that’s unusual for you.

The NHS is here to help you get the care you need.

You can read more about checking yourself in our blog with Macmillian GP Dr Andrea Oustayiannis.

Breast Cancer with Dr Andrea Oustayiannis

Bladder and kidney cancer

Finding bladder and kidney cancer early increases your chances of successful treatment. Dr Andrea Oustayiannis outlines the ABCD of bladder and kidney cancer symptoms, and what you should look out for. The most common sign of both bladder and kidney cancer is blood in your pee.

Some symptoms may be caused by other conditions such as an infection or bladder or kidney stones, all of which may need treatment.

Know the symptoms – ABCD of kidney and bladder cancers

Hello., my name is Dr Andrea Oustayiannis, and I have an important message for you about bladder and kidney cancer.

If you’re worried about any signs or symptoms that you may be experiencing
that you think could be bladder or kidney cancer, it’s really important that you speak to your GP as early as possible.

The most common symptom for both these cancers is blood in your wee.

Other signs to look out for include:

A – Again.
Do you keep getting infections in your wee and are you 60 or over?

B – Blood.
Have you seen blood in your wee when you don’t have an infection?

C – Continues.
Is there still blood in your wee after your infection has gone?

D – Discomfort.
Do you have pain when you have a wee when you don’t have an infection?

Usually the chances are it isn’t cancer and it won’t be serious. But, it’s important to find cancer early so treatment can start sooner and there’s a better chance of being cured.

Some symptoms may be caused by other conditions, such as an infection or bladder or kidney stones, all of which may need treatment.

Please do not hesitate to speak to your GP if you notice something unusual for you.

The NHS is here to help you get the care you need.

Bowel cancer

When bowel cancer is diagnosed early, your chances of successful treatment are much higher. In this video, Dr Deepak Kumar talks about the ABCD of bowel cancer symptoms and what you should be looking out for. If you’re worried about any symptoms, it’s really important that you speak to your GP as early as possible.

If you’re eligible, it’s important that you take part in the bowel cancer screening programme regularly.

Know the symptoms – ABCD of Bowel cancer

Hello, my name is Dr Deepak Kumar, and I have an important message for you about bowel cancer.

If you are worried about any signs or symptoms that you may be experiencing that you think could be bowel cancer, it’s really important that you speak to your GP as early as possible.

Symptoms to look out for include:
A – Appearance.
Do you look or feel like you have lost weight for no reason?

B – Bleeding.
Have you had bleeding from your bottom or blood in your poo that you can’t explain?

C – Change in bowel habit.
Have you noticed that the amount of times you go through your poo has changed, or that your poo is harder or softer and no reason? When you finish having a poo, do you feel like there is more poo left that won’t come out?

D – Different and Discomfort.
Does your tummy or bottom feel or look different? Do you have pain in your tummy or bottom that you can’t explain?

Usually the chances are it isn’t cancer and it won’t be serious. But, it’s important to find cancer early so treatment can start sooner and there’s a better chance of being cured.

If you’re eligible, it’s important that you take part in the bowel cancer screening programme regularly, which helps to detect bowel cancer early, before symptoms appear in some cases.

Please do not hesitate to speak to your GP if you notice something unusual for you.

The NHS is here to help you get the care that you need.

Gynaecological cancer including cervical and ovarian

Diagnosing gynaecological cancers (such as cervical and ovarian cancer) early significantly improves chances of successful treatment. Liza Benson, a lead Practice Nurse, talks about the ABCD of cervical and ovarian cancer symptoms and key signs to look out for.

Very early stages of cervical cancer may not cause any symptoms, so it’s important that you attend regular cervical screening (or smear test) appointments. There is more information about what is involved during a cervical screening appointment below in the ‘cancer screening’ section.

Know the symptoms: ABCD of gynaecological cancers

Hello, my name is Liza Benson, and I have an important message for you about gynaecological or women’s cancer.

If you’re worried about any signs or symptoms that you may be experiencing that you think could be cancer, it’s really important that you speak to your GP as early as possible.

Signs and symptoms to look out for include:
A – Abdominal Pain and Lumps. Do you have pain or have you noticed a lump in your tummy or pelvis?
This is the area between the bottom of your tummy and your legs.
B- Bleeding and Bladder.
Have you had an irregular bleeding? For example, after sex, in between periods or have you started bleeding again even though you’ve gone through the menopause? Do you need to go for a pee more often, have to get to the toilet with little warning or have you noticed blood in your pee?
C – Changes to your body. Do you feel bloated more often or full quicker? Have you lost weight without trying to?
D – Discharge and Different. Do you have new vaginal discharge that won’t stop, or have you had new vaginal discharge over the age of 55? Does your vagina look different? Are there changes to the skin, lumps, ulcers, or areas of bleeding?

Very early stage cervical cancer may not cause any symptoms, so it is important that you attend regular cervical screening or smear test appointments.

Usually the chances are it isn’t cancer and it won’t be serious. But, it’s important to find cancer early so treatment can start sooner and there’s a better chance of being cured.

Please do not hesitate to speak to your GP if you notice something unusual for you.

The NHS is here to help you get the care you need.

Lung cancer

Early diagnosis of lung cancer increases your chances of successful treatment. Clinical Pharmacist, Michael Thomas talks about the ABCD of lung cancer symptoms and key signs and symptoms to look out for. Don’t hesitate to speak to your GP if you notice something unusual for you.

Know the symptoms: ABCD of lung cancer

Hello, my name is Michael Thomas, and I have an important message for you about lung cancer.

Speak to your GP as early as possible if you notice any of the following symptoms:

A – Appetite. Are you less hungry for no reason or have you lost weight without trying to?
B – Breathlessness and or Blood. Are you short of breath or have you been coughing up blood?
C – Cough and/or Chest Pain. Have you had a cough that won’t go away, had lots of chest infections,
or have pain in your chest, shoulders or back that hasn’t improved?
D – Difficulty swallowing and/or Difference in your Voice. Have you noticed that swallowing has become difficult or that your voice has changed, for example, it sounds hoarser?

Usually the chances are it isn’t cancer and it won’t be serious. But, it’s important to find cancer early
so that treatment can start sooner and there’s a better chance of being cured.

Please do not hesitate to speak to your GP if you notice something unusual for you.

The NHS is here to help you get the care you need.

Prostate and testicular cancer

Early detection of prostate and testicular cancers increases your chances of successful treatment. In this video with Dr Mark Metcalfe talks about the the ABCD of prostate and testicular cancer symptoms and what you should be looking out for. If you notice any symptoms then get it checked.

Know the symptoms: ABCD of prostate and testicular cancers

Hello, my name is Dr. Mark Metcalfe, and I have an important message for you about prostate and testicular cancer.

Speak to your GP as early as possible if you notice any of the following symptoms:

A – Awake at Night. Are you waking up at night to have a pee frequently?
B – Blood. Have you noticed blood in your pee when you don’t have an infection?
C – Change. Are you having to pee more often or is the speed slower or flow weaker when you have a pee? Are you needing to rush to the toilet?
C- Change in Testicles. Have your testicles change in shape, size or how they feel? Can you feel any lumps or is there pain or change in sensation?
D – Difficulty. Is it difficult to have a pee, do you have to strain or feel like you haven’t emptied all your pee when you’re finished?

Usually the chances are it isn’t cancer and it won’t be serious. But, it’s important to find cancer early so treatment can start sooner and there’s a better chance of being cured.

Please do not hesitate to speak to your GP if you notice something unusual for you.

The NHS is here to help you get the care you need.

Skin cancer

When skin cancer is diagnosed early, your chances of successful treatment increase. In this video with Dr Simren Kumar talks about the the ABCD of skin cancer symptoms and what you should be looking out for. If you notice any symptoms then get it checked.

Know the symptoms: ABCD of skin cancer

Hello, my name is Dr. Simren Kumar and I have an important message for you about skin cancer.

If you’re worried about any signs or symptoms that you may be experiencing that you think could be skin cancer, it’s really important that you speak to your GP as early as possible.

The most common sign of skin cancer is a change to a mole, freckle or a normal patch of skin.

It’s important to get to know your skin and what it looks like normally so that you notice any unusual or persistent changes.

You should look out for:
A – Asymmetry. Does your mole look asymmetrical in appearance? For example, if you drew a line through the middle, the halves don’t match in size.
B – Border. Does the border of your mole look uneven, jagged, or does it have notched borders?
C – Colour. Have you noticed that there is more than one colour on a mole?
D – Diameter. Does your mole look larger than a pencil eraser?
And, E – Evolving. Has a mole gone through any sudden changes in size, shape or colour?

It’s very important to see your doctor if you notice any unusual, persistent changes to your skin. The chances are it’s nothing serious, but if it is skin cancer, getting it diagnosed and treated early gives
you the best possible outcome.

Please do not hesitate to speak to your GP if you notice something unusual for you.

The NHS is here to help you get the care you need.