Cancer awareness

Along with our partners we’re responsible for raising awareness of cancer screening programmes across the city and encouraging residents to look out for warning signs.

Thousands of people beat cancer every year. Treatment is often simpler and more effective the earlier it begins, so if you notice any of the warning signs it’s really important you see your GP practice.

Below you can find out more information about:

  • Answer Cancer
  • Signs to look out for
  • Cancer screening

Answer Cancer Greater Manchester Cancer Screening Engagement Programme

Answer Cancer

We support and promote Answer Cancer.

Answer Cancer is the Greater Manchester Screening and Engagement Programme. It is run by a voluntary sector partnership that works to improve cancer awareness and increase uptake of cancer screening across Greater Manchester.

You can view the work carried out by Answer Cancer on their website.

Have you noticed any of the following symptoms?

  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Ongoing indigestion or heartburn
  • Unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite
  • Bringing up food after eating
  • Constant pain in your upper tummy, chest or back

Stop! Look! Listen... to your body.

Finding upper gastrointestinal (GI) cancer early makes a big difference and could save your life.

If your symptoms continue for more than three weeks get it checked out by your GP practice!

#BePersistentAsYourSymptoms

Signs of cancer

Be aware of the signs of cancer. Treatment is more effective the earlier it begins.

Did you know that around 4 in 10 of all cancers diagnosed in the UK are caused by lifestyle and environmental factors? Tobacco smoking is by far the largest cause of cancer in the UK. Overweight and obesity is the UK’s biggest cause of cancer after smoking (Cancer Research UK).

For free, confidential and local advice on healthy lifestyles, including help for giving up smoking visit Salford's Health Improvement Connect.

Thousands of people beat cancer every year. Treatment is often simpler and more effective the earlier it begins. So, if you notice anything about your body, or have any of the warning signs listed below it’s really important you see your GP practice.

Things to look out for

  • An unusual lump or swelling anywhere on your body
  • A change in the size, shape or colour of a mole
  • A sore that won’t heal after several weeks
  • A mouth or tongue ulcer that lasts longer than three weeks
  • A cough or croaky voice that lasts longer than three weeks
  • Persistent difficulty swallowing or indigestion
  • Problems passing urine
  • Blood in your bowel motions
  • A change to more frequent bowel motions that lasts longer than four to six weeks
  • Unexplained weight loss or having night sweats
  • An unexplained pain or ache that lasts longer than four weeks
  • Breathlessness
  • Coughing up blood

If you get any of these symptoms and they are not going away within 3 or more weeks, see your doctor early. If you are seen at the surgery and reassured but your symptoms continue, then contact your doctor again. “BE AS PERSISTENT AS YOUR SYMPTOMS!”

It may be nothing to worry about but acting early could save your life. For more information, visit the NHS choices website.

Cancer screening

Early diagnosis of cancer can save lives. When cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, treatment is often more likely to be successful.

Cancer screening tests help detect the disease before symptoms have a chance to develop and some can prevent cancers too.

In the UK we have three national cancer screening programmes:

  • Breast
  • Bowel
  • Cervical

Screening programmes

Gender Age Programme Information
Women 25 to 64 Cervical You’ll receive a letter asking you to phone or make an appointment with your GP practice or Practice Nurse. If you’re under 50, screening is every 3 years. If you’re over 50, it’s every 5 years.
Women 50 to 70 Breast You’ll be invited when the screening van is in your area. You may not be invited before the age of 53. If you’re aged 70 and over you can self-refer by calling the Greater Manchester Breast Screening Service on 0161 291 4444.
Men and women 56 to 74 Bowel When you become eligible, you will first receive an invitation letter and explanatory leaflet. Your kit will follow two weeks later for you to complete at home then post to a laboratory for analysis. Until you are 74, screening is every 2 years. If you’re over 74 years you can request a kit to continue two yearly screening.

Cancer awareness month calendar

Information provided by Cancer Research UK

January

  • Cervical Cancer Prevention Week

February

  • Oesophageal Cancer Awareness
  • World Cancer Day

March

  • Colorectal Cancer Awareness
  • Ovarian Cancer Awareness
  • Brain Tumour Awareness
  • Prostate Cancer Awareness

April

  • Bowel Cancer Awareness
  • Testicular Cancer Awareness

May

  • Bladder Cancer Awareness
  • Sun Awareness Week
  • Skin Cancer Awareness

June

  • Cervical Screening Awareness Week

July

  • Sarcoma Awareness

September

  • Childhood Cancer Awareness
  • Blood Cancer Awareness
  • Gynaecological Cancer Awareness
  • Thyroid Cancer Awareness
  • Urological Cancer Awareness

October

  • Breast Cancer Awareness

November

  • Lung Cancer Awareness
  • Pancreatic Cancer Awareness
  • Mouth Cancer Action

For further information or to give feedback contact earlydiagnosis@cancer.org.uk

See Cancer Research UK for primary health professionals on Twitter.

Information for health professionals on the Cancer Research UK website.

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