Cancer

Bladder cancer — blood in urine, diagnosis, staging, and NHS treatment including TURBT, BCG, and cystectomy.

Bowel cancer is very treatable caught early. Know the symptoms, use the free NHS home test kit, and see a GP about any bleeding. Reviewed by UK doctors.

Brain tumours — primary and secondary cancers, red flag symptoms, diagnosis with MRI, and NHS treatment including surgery and radiotherapy.

Most breast lumps are not cancer — but all need checking. Symptoms, NHS screening, and when to see a GP urgently. Reviewed by UK doctors.

Cervical cancer — HPV link, cervical screening (smear test), symptoms, prevention with HPV vaccine, and NHS treatment overview.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) — how it spreads, link to cervical and other cancers, NHS vaccination programme, and testing through cervical screening.

Kidney cancer — symptoms including blood in urine, diagnosis with scans and biopsy, staging, and NHS treatment including surgery and targeted therapy.

Leukaemia — blood cancer types, symptoms like fatigue and bruising, diagnosis, and NHS treatments including chemotherapy and stem cell transplant.

Liver cancer — primary and secondary types, symptoms including jaundice and weight loss, diagnosis, and NHS treatment including surgery and locoregional therapy.

Lung cancer — symptoms, who should seek chest X-ray, diagnosis, staging, and NHS treatment including surgery and immunotherapy.

Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma — swollen glands, B symptoms, diagnosis, and NHS treatment including chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Melanoma — dangerous skin cancer from moles, ABCDE warning signs, diagnosis, and NHS treatment including surgery and immunotherapy.

Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma — warning signs, diagnosis, NHS treatment, and sun protection to reduce risk.

Ovarian cancer — symptoms often mistaken for IBS, diagnosis, CA125 blood test, and NHS treatment overview.

Pancreatic cancer — symptoms including jaundice and weight loss, diagnosis, and NHS treatment options including surgery and chemotherapy.

Prostate cancer — symptoms, PSA testing, diagnosis, staging, and NHS treatment options explained in plain English.

Testicular cancer — lump in testicle, self-check, diagnosis, and highly treatable NHS treatment including surgery and chemotherapy.

Thyroid cancer — neck lump, diagnosis, types including papillary and medullary, and NHS treatment with surgery and radioactive iodine.

Blood in poo is often caused by piles or anal fissures, but it can be a sign of bowel cancer — any unexplained rectal bleeding needs GP assessment.

Blood in urine (haematuria) can be caused by infection, kidney stones or, rarely, bladder or kidney cancer — see a GP the same day, even if it stops.

Most breast lumps are benign — cysts and fibroadenomas are common — but any new breast lump, thickening or nipple change needs GP assessment within two weeks.

Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) can be caused by reflux, stroke or oesophageal cancer; progressive symptoms or weight loss need urgent assessment.

A hoarse voice is usually caused by laryngitis, reflux or vocal strain and clears within two weeks, but persistent hoarseness needs a GP assessment.

A neck lump is most often a swollen gland after infection, but a painless lump lasting over two weeks needs GP assessment, especially in smokers.

A changing mole can be a sign of melanoma — use the ABCDE guide and see a GP urgently for any mole that changes shape, colour or size, or bleeds.

Night sweats are drenching sweats that soak your bedding, most often caused by menopause or infection; see a GP if they persist or come with weight loss.

A testicular lump usually is not cancer, but any new lump needs same-day GP assessment, since testicular cancer is highly treatable when caught early.

Unexplained weight loss means losing 5% or more of body weight without trying, and it always needs prompt GP assessment to rule out serious causes.

Vaginal bleeding between periods, after sex or after the menopause needs GP review; common causes like fibroids and polyps are usually treatable.

Bowel cancer screening uses a home FIT kit to detect hidden blood in poo; it is offered every 2 years in England and a positive result leads to colonoscopy.

Cervical screening checks for high-risk HPV and abnormal cells to prevent cervical cancer; those aged 25 to 64 with a cervix are invited every 3 to 5 years.

A colonoscopy is a test that uses a flexible camera to examine the whole colon, used after a positive FIT, for symptoms or surveillance, and to remove polyps.

A CT scan uses X-rays and a computer to build detailed cross-section images, helping doctors detect cancers, strokes, injuries and blood clots.

An endoscopy, or gastroscopy, uses a flexible camera to examine the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum, detecting ulcers, coeliac disease and cancer.

A mammogram is a breast X-ray used in NHS screening to detect breast cancer early, offered to women aged 50 to 71 every three years in England.

An MRI scan uses magnets and radio waves, not radiation, to produce detailed images of the brain, spine, joints and soft tissues inside the body.

A PSA test is a blood test that can indicate prostate problems including cancer, though levels can also be raised for benign, non-cancerous reasons.