The 13 'red flag' symptoms cancer doctor says people should get checked out immediately

Half of UK adults with a possible cancer symptom do not contact their GP within six months, despite spotting changes to their body, new research has suggested. A YouGov poll of 2,468 people for Cancer Research UK found that just 48% of those who had experienced a red flag symptom – including coughing up blood, unexplained weight loss and a new or unusual lump – contacted their GP within half a year.

Not telling a doctor about unusual health changes or possible cancer symptoms reduces the chances of an early cancer diagnosis, leading to potentially devastating outcomes. “You might think of red flag symptoms like coughing up blood or unexplained bleeding as hard to ignore, but this research shows that many do,” says Dr Julie Sharp, CRUK’s head of health and patient involvement.

She points out that people from deprived backgrounds in particular face more barriers to seeking help, and stresses: “Whether it’s a red flag symptom or not, if you notice a change to your health that’s unusual for you or isn’t going away, contact your GP as soon as you can. Your doctor is there for you and wants to hear about any concerns.”

Read more:UK waiting for thousands of monkeypox vaccines with 'doses running out'

Not telling a doctor about unusual health changes may reduce the chances of an early cancer diagnosis. When diagnosed at stage one – the earliest stage – more than nine in 10 (92%) people will survive bowel cancer for five years or more. It’s one in 10 (10%) when diagnosed at stage four – the latest stage.

Sharp says anyone who has any of the following symptoms should have them checked by a doctor immediately. She stresses that in most cases it won’t be cancer, but if it is, spotting it early can make a real difference and possibly