Signs of Cancer

From a persistent cough to a sore that won't heal... experts reveal the 10 'red flag' symptoms that mean YOU could have cancer

• A long-term cough could indicate lung cancer, while a changing mole could be a sign you are suffering skin cancer, experts say
• Unexplained weight loss is a red flag for a number of forms of the disease, including liver cancer which claimed the life of David Bowie, aged 69
• Difficulty swallowing, an unexplained lump, unexplained bleeding and changing bladder habits are also red flag symptoms
• Persistent pain could be a sign of pancreatic cancer, that killed actor Alan Rickman - as well as many other forms of the disease
• Experts advise anyone displaying 1 or more red flags to visit their doctor  

By LIZZIE PARRY

A persistent cough, a sore that refuses to heal, unexplained weight loss and changing bladder habits.

They may seem innocuous, irritating facts of life.

But experts warn people not to dismiss them and six other key changes in the body, for fear they could be a sign of something far more sinister.

The 10 red flags for cancer are ingrained in the minds of doctors and healthcare workers the world over. 

But on World Cancer Day, experts are reminding members  of the public to familiarise themselves with the key symptoms, in a bid to save lives.

Currently 8.2 million people die from the disease across the world each year - 4.7 million men and 3.5 million women.

Of those, four million deaths are premature, those people aged 30 to 69 years old.

In many cases early diagnosis can mean the difference between life and death for cancer patients.

A survey by researchers on behalf of Cancer Research UK last year found almost half of those displaying at least one red flag for cancer did not visit their GP, thinking their symptoms 'trivial'.

Among the signs are unexplained weight loss, which can indicate a number of forms of the disease, including liver cancer, which claimed the life of icon and singer David Bowie in January aged just 69.

Days later actor Alan Rickman lost his battle with pancreatic cancer, also aged just 69. One symptom of that disease - and other forms - is persistent and unexplained pain, experts say. 

If you or a member of your family is suffering at least one of these 10 red flag symptoms, experts advise you book an appointment with a doctor straight away:

1. A persistent cough

Red flag for... lung cancer

Most lung cancers do not cause any symptoms until they have spread too far to be cured.

But, symptoms do occur in some people in the early stages of lung cancer.

A new cough that does not go away, or changes in a chronic cough or 'smoker's cough' can be an early indication of the disease.

In addition, chest pain linked to coughing, deep breathing or lauging as well as hoarseness and coughing up blood are early warning signs.

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Unexplained weight loss can be a sign of various forms of cancer, including liver cancer - the disease which claimed the life of icon David Bowie aged just 69 last month

2. A change in the appearance of a mole

Red flag for... skin cancer

Melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, can appear anywhere on the body, but they most commonly appear on the back, legs, arms and face and even underneath a nail.

Though less common, they often spread to other organs in the body, making them more deadly.

The most common sign is the appearance of a new mole or a change in an existing mole.

Signs to look out for include a mole that is:

• getting bigger 
• changing shape 
• changing colour 
• bleeding or becoming crusty 
• itchy or painful

A helpful way to tell the difference between a normal mole and a melanoma is the 'ABCDE' checklist:

Asymmetrical – melanomas have two very different halves and are an irregular shape.

Border – melanomas have a notched or ragged border.

Colours – melanomas will be a mix of two or more colours.

Diameter – melanomas are often larger than 6mm (1/4 inch) in diameter.

Enlargement or elevation – a mole that changes size over time is more likely to be a melanoma.

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A changed mole can indicate a person has skin cancer (picture posed by model)

3. A persistent chance in bowel habits

Red flag for... bowel cancer

The three main symptoms of bowel cancer are blood in the stools or faeces, a change in bowel habit, such as going more frequently, or having looser stools, and abdominal pain.

However, these symptoms are very common, and can easily be attributed to other conditions.

As the vast majority of people diagnosed with bowel cancer are over the age of 60, these symptoms become more important with age.

Most patients with the disease will present to their doctor with one of the following symptoms combinations:

• a persistent change in bowel habit, causing a person to go to the toilet more often and pass looser stools, together with blood on or in the stools 
• a persistent change in bowel habit without blood in their stools, but with abdominal pain 
• blood in the stools without other haemorrhoid symptoms, such as soreness, discomfort, pain, itching, or a lump hanging down outside the rectum 
• abdominal pain, discomfort or bloating always provoked by eating, and sometimes resulting in a reduction in the amount eaten and weight loss
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4. A sore that doesn't heal

Red flag for... many types of cancer

A sore or ulcer in the mouth that fails to heal is the most common symptoms of mouth cancer, according to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America.

Furthermore persistent pain in the mouth can also be a sign.

As for the rest of the body, experts at Cancer Research UK say a person should seek advise from a doctor if a spot, wart or sore doesn't heal after several weeks, even if it is painless.

The skin repairs itself very quickly and any damage should typically heal within a week or so. 

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• SHARE PICTURE

Abdominal pain can indicate pancreatic cancer, the disease which killed actor Alan Rickman, pictured as the Sheriff of Nottingham, right, last month, also aged 69. Persistent, unexplained pain can be a sign of a number of other forms of the disease as well

5. A persistent difficulty swallowing

Red flag for... oesophageal cancer

A number of medical conditions can make it difficult to swallow. 

But if you are having difficulty swallowing and the problem doesn’t go away after a couple of weeks, it should be checked out. 

The key sign of oesophageal cancer is a difficulty swallowing. This problem may contribute to weight loss, which can also indicate the disease is present.

6. Unexplained weight loss

Red flag for... a number of cancers

Most people with cancer will lose weight at some point. 

When you lose weight for no known reason, it’s called an unexplained weight loss, according to the American Cancer Society.

An unexplained weight loss of 10 pounds or more may be the first sign of cancer. 

This happens most often with cancers of the pancreas, stomach, esophagus (swallowing tube), or lung. 

Experts at Cancer Research UK add that small weight changes over time are quite normal, but if you lose a noticeable amount of weight without trying to, tell your doctor.

7. A persistent change in bladder habits

Red flag for... bladder or prostate cancer 

Problems urinating can include needing to pee urgently, more frequently, being unable to go when you need to, or experiencing pain. 

These symptoms can all be caused by conditions other than cancer, but it’s important to tell your doctor if you experience any of them. 

A slow or weak urinary stream, or the need to urinate more often, especially at night, can indicate prostate cancer specifically.

Blood in the urine is also a sign.

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A persistent change in bladder habits can indicate a person is suffering bladder cancer, pictured under the microscope. In men, the symptom can also be a sign of prostate cancer

With bladder cancer, the disease can cause changes in urination, including having to urinate more often, pain or burning during urination and feeling as if you need to go right away, even if the bladder is not full. 

These symptoms are also more likely to be caused by a benign condition such as infection, bladder stones, an overactive bladder, or an enlarged prostate (in men). 

But, it is important to have them checked by a doctor so that the cause can be found and treated, if needed.

YOUR CHANCE OF SURVIVAL 

BREAST CANCER: 96 per cent of women survive for at least one year, 87 per cent do so for five years, and 78 per cent for a decade.

SKIN CANCER: 88 per cent of men survive for five years or more. For women the figures are even better, with 92 per cent predicted to survive for at least five years.

LUNG CANCER: Just 8 per cent of men survive for five years or more, compared with 12 per cent of women.

PROSTATE CANCER: Some 85 per cent of patients survive for five years or more.

BOWEL CANCER: 59 per cent of men survive for five years or more. For women, the figure is 58 per cent.

8. An unexplained lump

Red flag for...  many types of cancer

A great many cancers can be felt through the skin, though typically they occur in the breast, testicle, lymph nodes and soft tissues of the body.  

A lump or thickening of tissue can be an early sign of the disease, but it can also indicate some forms of the disease are in an advanced stage.

You should visit a doctor, especially if you have just found a lump or noticed a lump has grown in size.

The American Cancer Society note that some breast cancers can show up as red or thickened skin rather than a lump.  

9. Persistent, unexplained pain

Red flag for...  many types of cancer

Pain can present in the early stages of a number of cancers, but especially with bone and testicular cancers.

A headache that will not go away or get better with treatment can be a sign of a brain tumor.

Furthermore, back pain can indicate cancer of the colon, rectum, or ovary.

In most cases, where pain is felt and cancer is diagnosed it is an indication that the disease has spread from its primary location in the body.

10. Unexplained bleeding

Red flag for... many types of cancer, namely bowel, cervical or vulval cancer

In both the early and late stages of the disease, unexplained bleeding can occur.

Coughing up blood can be a sign of lung cancer, while blood in the stool is an indication of colon or rectal cancer.

Cancer of the cervix or the endometrium - the lining of the uterus - can cause abnormal vaginal bleeding.

Blood in the urine can indicate a person is suffering bladder, kidney or prostate cancer.

And a bloody discharge from the nipple may be a sign of breast cancer.  

Staying Active At Work

Stay active at your work desk

by Suchita Parikh-Mundul

Sitting at your desk could kill you. Research has found that large amounts of physical inactivity leads to cardiovascular complications and leaves you prone to a host of diseases including Type 2 diabetes that ultimately cause an early death.

Since a majority of people work desk jobs, being active while at your desk may seem like an impossible mission. But there are tricks to help keep you moving. Adopt these tips and be guaranteed of a healthier lifestyle!

Stair master: Ditch that elevator. If your office is a few storeys up, opt to take the stairs instead. You’ll be working muscles that usually don’t get to see the light of an active day! If the office is on a higher floor, why not stop the elevator a few storeys lower and climb up the rest of the way?

On the ball: Replace your chair with a fitness ball. Balancing on the ball while sitting on it will keep your core muscles working. Sit on the ball with your feet flat on the floor to check whether the size of the ball suits the height of your desk. If your elbows are in, arm bent at 90 degrees and wrists straight, you’ve got the right size.

Walk and talk: When you’re on your cellphone, don’t sit at your desk. Take a walk down the corridor or around the building. Keep moving.

Mobile meeting: If you know your colleagues are health conscious too, try a walking meeting. Instead of sitting in the boardroom or at a café, take your coffee to go and walk around the block or even in the parking lot.

Get friendly: Instead of emailing a colleague, walk over to their desk and speak to them directly. It’ll save you time and get you moving!

Zinc is Good for You

Get your zinc zing

by Kavita Devgan

It was a sick child's refusal long ago to swallow a pill that led to the discovery of zinc as a cure for common cold. The little girl, instead of swallowing a zinc tablet, let it melt in her mouth. To her father's surprise, her cold symptoms disappeared within hours. Since then zinc has been established as an essential mineral for healthy body functioning. Now we also know that most body systems depend on it and almost 300 enzymes in the body just cannot function without it. But still most people don’t know enough about.

Good to Know
Zinc helps fight a range of viral infections - from herpes to common cold, especially respiratory infections (take zinc lozenges at the first sign of cold). It boosts the immune system, helps prevent acne and speeds up the healing of wounds. Zinc is needed for optimum liver function, production of sperms, and maintaining correct blood sugar balance. Plus as it aids in the absorption of calcium, it helps prevent osteoporosis. Studies show that it gives our brain a boost too. Attention, memory, problem solving and hand-eye coordination, all improve with zinc.

Get your share
Riches source happen to be oysters, but you can get a fair share via seafood, poultry, eggs, nuts and seeds, whole grains, tofu and legumes. Zinc from breast milk is better absorbed than that from formula milk, and colostrum (the first milk produced by the mother) is loaded with it; another plus for promoting breastfeeding.

Get enough not excess
Vegetarians tend to battle deficiency more, compared to those who eat a meat-based diet and so it’s important for them to ensure plenty of zinc-rich foods (tip: Include pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds and peanuts in diet). Regular alcohol drinkers also tend to have a deficiency as alcohol decreases the absorption of zinc and increases loss of zinc in urine. Look out for impairment of taste, a poor immune response and skin problems. Other symptoms include hair loss, diarrhea, frequent cold and infections, fatigue and delayed wound healing.

But this doesn’t make a case for arbitrary supplementation as excess zinc can be toxic and too much zinc interferes with the metabolism of other minerals in the body, particularly iron and copper. So I say stick to food sources, but get enough of them.

Rebalance Bodily Rhythms and Feel Calmer

Tune in to your body clock and never feel stressed again: The A-list’s favourite relaxation expert teaches calmness

• Acupuncturist Gerad Kite destresses Chris Evans and Will Young
• He believes that we need to get back in tune with the body's natural cycle 
• He shows FEMAIL how to rebalance bodily rhythms and feel calmer 

By GERAD KITE

When A-listers such as Chris Evans and Will Young get stressed, they turn to acupuncturist Gerad Kite. At his own clinic, the great and the good pay £195 or more a session. But now you don’t have to be famous - or rich - to benefit from his expertise, as his new book lifts the lid on his rules for a calmer life. At the heart of his philosophy is his fervent belief that we need to get back in tune with the human body’s natural cycle. Only then, he says, will we discover the true path to health and happiness.

You wake up tired, so you kick-start yourself with caffeine. You eat a sandwich at your desk and barely taste it. More tea or coffee to stave off that mid-afternoon dip. By evening, you're cross-eyed and edgy, so of course you have a drink to take the edge off.

Sounds like a typical day? Well, you're not alone. The pace of life today is so frenetic that many of us are working against the natural rhythms of our bodies all the time - and suffering from fatigue, stress and even ill health as a result.

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Gerad believes that most people's natural body clock is out of sync - and he can help you fix it using ancient wisdom called the Chinese Clock. By working with nature's time schedule, you can feel healthier and calmer

As we get older, we often accept low-grade health as a norm. We feel tired all the time but don't connect it to not eating properly or not getting enough exercise. We get used to being stressed and anxious as the little vices accumulate.

It's not that we're incapable of feeling as energised and relaxed in our 40s (and beyond) as we were in our 20s - it's just that we don't realise that we are moving further and further out of balance.

Many people say they're not 'morning people' and simply accept that half the day is written off. Others slump mid-afternoon, calling it a 'carb crash', or think that an evening in front of the TV is all they can manage at the end of a long day.

But what these symptoms are actually telling us is that our natural body 'clock' is running out of sync. And there comes a point where nature will not allow us to continue pushing ourselves in this way. Certain physical or emotional symptoms tell us that we have to stop and look at what is going on in our life.

According to ancient Chinese philosophy, we each have a body clock that reflects the changing rhythms of day and night.

During each 24-hour cycle, each major organ of the body enjoys a two-hour high point - a window of opportunity to function at their optimum. So what we need to do is listen to our bodies and work with the natural flow.

By working with nature's own time schedule, all areas of health improve and your whole system can run like a well-oiled machine.

All you have to do is 'reset' your system using ancient wisdom - the Chinese Clock.

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Gerad Kite, pictured, is an acupuncturist who has treated A list clients such as Chris Evans and Will Young

I found it so humbling when I first understood what is really going on in my body while I am running around living my life. Love and enjoy your body. Look after it as you would your most cherished friend, partner, child or pet.

Listen to what it asks of you and have an awareness of the key body functions that work tirelessly to keep you going. Our body knows what it needs - and it will tell us if we listen.

3AM TO 7AM

These hours are when the lungs (3am to 5am) and colon (5am to 7am) are prioritised.

For the first two hours, your lungs benefit from a surge of energy, enlarging their capacity, oxygenating every cell in your body and every corner of your mind, as evidenced by our active dream state at this time.

From 5am to 7am, the peak flow shifts to the large intestine and colon, making the morning the optimal time to get up, go to the loo and release the physical and mental waste of the previous day.

Your lungs benefit from a surge of energy, enlarging their capacity, oxygenating every cell in your body and every corner of your mind, as evidenced by our active dream state at this time

Nature ordains that all waste be removed at this time, leaving space for the day to come. And so, in good health, our lungs expand to receive the fresh morning air, we empty our bowels, and we shower away the residue of the previous day.

7AM TO 11AM

Not surprisingly, the stomach is king for the next two hours, as the energy moves out of the colon, stimulating hunger.

The old saying that you should breakfast like a king and dine like a pauper is apposite. It's very basic. As you empty the lower part of your digestive system, you refill from the top with fuel for the day. Just think: would you really set off on a long car journey with no fuel in the tank?

From 9am to 11am is when the spleen is handed the baton and swings into action. Practitioners of Chinese medicine believe that the spleen's function is to transform water and food into energy.

So, at this time, your fuel is being converted into something usable for both physical and mental consumption, and being transported around the body to provide the resources to move every muscle. Use these two hours to work hard and focus on any difficult chores, either mental or physical, that you may have to get done.

LET YOUR SENSES SET YOU FREE

In our fast-paced, aspirational culture, it’s accepted as normal for us to look endlessly outside ourselves for meaning and purpose. What can I get out of this? Where am I heading?

Many people today equate happiness with being busy or even mildly stressed. They say being busy makes them feel ‘alive’.

But all this looking ahead and outward means we neglect our true selves in the here and now. Everything that you need to be happy and well, you already have inside.

If you are struggling to conceive of this, perhaps take some time out to try to experience it, viscerally. Close your eyes and direct your attention to your five senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch) and become aware of how it feels to be in your body right now.

When you shift your attention to your body - becoming aware of the chair you’re sitting on, the smells in the room and the colours - you automatically stop thinking and give your mind a break.

I recommend you engage in true rest like this each day to restore yourself to a feeling of calm.

You can get a meditation app on your smartphone or tablet to help you, or you could achieve the same benefits just by going outside to feed the birds.

11AM TO 3PM

The heart receives its peak charge at the height of the day and rules from 11am to 1pm. Nature dictates that it's time to back off from the business and activities of the morning and to take a break.

This is a time to have lunch, meet a friend, relax and socialise - anything so long as you give your mind and body a break.

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Gerad's book, pictured, will help you to live a better, healthier, calmer and happier life

The small intestine steps in from 1pm to 3pm and gets to work to filter and organise, so you can have a productive afternoon.

3PM TO 7PM

Many people experience a dip of energy in late afternoon. It's all too easy, at this low point, to reach for a quick stimulant - be it caffeine or chocolate - but what the body is actually lacking is water. In the Chinese system, the bladder is central, acting as a reservoir. It keeps reserves of fluid throughout your body - for your joints, your digestive system and tears.

If you are living by the natural clock and drinking enough water, late afternoon should be the time when you feel buoyed up, so make sure you drink enough in the morning to top up your bladder reservoir. Aim to drink two litres a day.

If you are well hydrated, the kidneys benefit at 5pm when the body and mind's reserves are consolidated and you have a heightened experience of your own existence and a profound sense of your 'essential self'.

7PM TO 11PM

This is a period for relaxation, socialising - and sex. Interestingly, it should be the resting period for the stomach, as this is the time when this organ has the least energy available to it.

But most of us have our biggest meal of the day at this hour. No wonder our sex lives suffer!

Eat before 7pm if you can, or have just a light evening meal. And if you're trying for a baby, now is the time to go for it.

The second stage is ruled by the body's inbuilt temperature-regulating system, which I like to think of as the body's heating engineer, busily travelling around every part of our being, adjusting and correcting the physical and emotional temperature through the skin, sweat glands and blood vessels, as well as calming our emotional temperature.

Many people experience a dip of energy in late afternoon. It's all too easy, at this low point, to reach for a quick stimulant - be it caffeine or chocolate - but what the body is actually lacking is water

It brings you down from the heat and activity of the day to a cool, resting state ready for deep restorative sleep.

Use this time to switch off the TV and get ready for bed. The process always takes longer than you think, and your body needs to be ready for proper rest by 11pm.

11PM TO 3AM

Think of the gall bladder as the 'night train' that departs at 11pm and takes us back to our roots - a place of deep rest - making this the optimum time to go to sleep.

Don't forget that it is said 'an hour before midnight is worth two thereafter'. So don't stay up late working or reading. Make sure you've turned off the light by 11pm at the latest, and use the meditation tips on the left (see box above) to clear your mind of the stresses of the day and of tomorrow's plans.

From 1am to 3am is the liver's peak time, when it detoxifies the blood. The liver presides over sleep as we enter the deep resting phase and, later, the dream state where our unconscious mind explores and plans for the next day.

HOW TO FIND YOUR INNER CALM 

In your mind’s eye, picture a pendulum. All your attention is drawn to the movement. What you see is a weight swinging from side to side, trying to find a resting point in the middle.

If you were to refocus, though, and look up at the top of the shaft, you would see that here there is no movement at all. It is a fixed point.

Now imagine the pendulum as an illustration of your emotional life, where the weight at the bottom end represents the mind, and its natural movement mirrors your thoughts and feelings. Let’s say all the swings to the right represent the ‘highs’ (joy, euphoria, jubilation) and all the swings to the left represent the ‘lows’ (sadness, anger, depression).

The midpoint, meanwhile, is an area I call ‘relative calm’, as it’s still vulnerable to movement in one direction or the other.

To experience complete stillness, you need to reach the pivot of the pendulum where there is no movement at all. And this is what we need to do in order to control our emotions. We need to be able to step back so that we can observe our emotions. Only then can we feel objectivity and compassion.

It’s part of normal life for emotions to swing from left to right. But all too often, complications in our domestic and working lives cause us to live much of the time at the extreme ends of the pendulum - and in this chaotic state we feel stressed and overwhelmed.

To feel more in control, try to step back and see the bigger picture. This is the true key to discovering inner peace.