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
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.