Why is it important to act on potential signs or symptoms of cancer?
Treatment options and survival rates are better than ever – especially when cancer is found early.
Diagnosing and treating cancer early, before it has grown bigger or spread to other parts of the body, means that patients are more likely to survive cancer.
If people are aware of the possible signs and symptoms of cancer, and empowered to contact their GP as soon as they notice any of these, this can help the early diagnosis of cancer
Potential Early Signs & Symptoms
Cancer can cause changes to how your body normally looks, works or feels. It's important to be aware of possible signs or symptoms of cancer, these include:
- a new lump or bump
- a lump or bump changing in appearance or size
- unexplained bleeding from any part of the body
- unexplained bruising
- unexplained or persistent pain
- a change to your usual bowel or bladder habits
- a new or changing cough
- changes on your skin
- difficulty chewing, swallowing or moving your tongue
- unexplained weight loss or weight loss without trying
- unexplained tiredness
- unexplained night sweats
These are common signs and symptoms that are often caused by other, non-cancerous illnesses. But if you notice anything that is unusual for you it's important to talk to your GP without delay.
Education
The NCCP has an Early Diagnosis of Cancer eLearning programme. The programme is for primary care and allied healthcare professionals .
Available on HSeLanD, the programme ‘Early Diagnosis of Cancer’ advises healthcare staff on how to recognise signs and symptoms of cancer and how to refer patients, when necessary, to the appropriate next step.
The eLearning programme contains 2 modules:
- Early Diagnosis of Cancer – Part 1 (covering lung, breast, prostate and melanoma skin cancer)
- Early Diagnosis of Cancer – Part 2 (covering colorectal, uterine, ovarian and cervical cancer)
Learners can dip in and out of the programme at any time. You can find it by searching for ‘Early Diagnosis of Cancer’ in the search box on HSeLanD.
Resources
If you wish to order printed resources please visit www.healthpromotion.ie. Choose 'cancer' on the drop down menu to browse resources.
Videos
Recordings
Published Research
- A systematic review of interventions to recognise, refer and diagnose patients with lung cancer symptoms (PDF 493KB, 11 pages)
- NCCP National Survey on Cancer Awareness and Attitudes, September 2022 (PDF, 1227KB, 61 pages)
- Primary healthcare professionals’ perspectives on patient help-seeking for lung cancer warning signs and symptoms: a qualitative study (PDF, 1140KB, 15 pages)
- Summary Report: Barriers, Facilitators, and Strategies to Recognise and Refer High Risk Individuals with Lung Cancer Alarm Signs and Symptoms March 2022 (PDF, 1116KB, 24 pages)
- Full report: Barriers, Facilitators, and Strategies to Recognise and Refer High Risk Individuals with Lung Cancer Alarm Signs and Symptoms March 2022 (PDF, 1434KB, 114 pages)
- National Survey On Lung Cancer Awareness (PDF, 1578KB 36 pages)
- Promoting lung cancer awareness, help-seeking and early detection: a systematic review of interventions
- Public Health Messaging and Strategies to Promote “SWIFT” Lung Cancer Detection: a Qualitative Study Among High-Risk Individuals
- Awareness and help-seeking for early signs and symptoms of lung cancer: A qualitative study with high-risk individuals
NCCP Early Diagnosis of Symptomatic Cancer Plan
The HSE National Cancer Control Programme launched the first NCCP Early Diagnosis of Symptomatic Cancer Plan 2022-2025.
The plan aims to provide a strategic, comprehensive approach to increasing the number of symptomatic cancers that are diagnosed early (stages I and II) in Ireland.
Implementation Reports
Contact prevention@cancercontrol.ie for more information
