Latest news with #selfcheck
Telegraph
10 hours ago
- Health
- Telegraph
The signs of cancer you should be checking for every three weeks
Assessing your body for lumps, unusual moles or unexplained bruising every three weeks might seem a little over zealous, but that's what we should all be doing to spot cancer at its earliest and most treatable stage – and, crucially, to save lives. According to a new NHS survey of 2,000 people, only 39 per cent of Brits examine our bodies regularly, with many of us far more likely to check our bank balance, the weather forecast and what's coming up on TV during the same timeframe. But complacency can lead to deadly consequences: Dr Richard Lee, a champion for early cancer diagnosis at The Royal Marsden Hospital, says delays in people mentioning concerns to their GP are one of the primary causes for early-stage cancers getting missed. 'Many cancers do present with symptoms,' he says. 'The earlier that a cancer is diagnosed, treatments are easier [to tolerate] and treatment success is more likely.' While the NHS offers national screening programmes for breast, bowel and cervical cancers, and is in the process of expanding lung-cancer screening, such programmes only cover a proportion of cancers, making self-checking vitally important, especially as more cancers are being diagnosed under the age of 50. According to the American Cancer Society, one general feature of many cancers is sudden or unexplained weight loss – for example, losing 5 per cent of your body weight over six to 12 months when you're not intentionally trying to lose weight. 'Cancer can be associated with reduced appetite and weight loss, essentially due to the metabolic effects of the cancer on the body,' says Dr Lee. 'It's partly because there's something there that's growing and it's also a feature of cancer which makes muscles weak while the metabolism is increasing; you've got this inflammation and all these things combined make it hard to keep your weight steady.' Of course, this doesn't always occur, but certain cancers can be picked up through regular self-checking. Here are some of the most notable symptoms to look out for. Testicular cancer Warning signs: Lump or swelling Testicular cancer usually presents through a testicular lump or swelling or sudden pain in the testicles. There could be a perfectly benign cause for lumps and swelling, but if you're experiencing these symptoms, Dr Robert Stevenson, Consultant Clinical Oncologist at The Harborne Hospital, says it's critical to be examined by a doctor quickly. 'A lump can be a cyst at the back of the testicle, or a varicocele, which is a collection of [enlarged] veins,' he says. 'Incidentally, this can also be an early sign of kidney cancer and that would be looked into too.' If caught early, the cure rates for testicular cancer are very high, while patients will also avoid more debilitating treatments such as multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. 'If it's stage one – so, still confined to the testicle – you may just need the testicle removed, maybe a bit of chemotherapy, and that's it,' says Dr Stevenson. What to do? If you feel any sort of lump, swelling or unusual pain in the testicle region, this should prompt a visit to the doctor. An ultrasound scan will be required to diagnose whether it's cause for alarm or benign. Survival rate if caught early: 99 per cent. Leukaemia Warning signs: Unexplained bleeding or bruising In adults, leukaemia can be one of the more aggressive and difficult to treat cancers, but, when detected early, oncologists say that there are far more options, from chemotherapy to newer immunotherapies and stem-cell transplants. With leukaemia being a blood cancer, Dr Premini Mahendra, Consultant Haemato-Oncologist at The Harborne Hospital, says that a major warning sign is unexplained bleeding or bruising on the body. 'Patients also sometimes feel unusually fatigued, they're getting recurrent infections, or they have unexplained shortness of breath,' she says. What to do? Consult your GP. To rule out leukaemia, Dr Mahendra says you will be given a simple blood test. 'There are lots of other possible explanations, but a full blood cell count, which is one of the cheapest tests to do, will indicate if leukaemia could be responsible or not,' she adds. Survival rate if caught early: 67 per cent. Breast cancer Warning sign: Lumps According to the NHS, visible signs of breast cancer typically present as hard, irregular, painless lumps that feel slightly different from the surrounding breast tissue, sometimes accompanied by the formation of dimples or changes in the nipple's appearance. While the disease is most common in women over the age of 50, it can occur in younger women and, as a result, the charity Breast Cancer Ireland has long promoted self-checking as crucial. 'It's important to check yourself regularly so you know what your baseline is, which helps you spot any unusual changes,' says Aisling Hurley, the charity's CEO. What to do? While women aged 50-70 are offered mammograms as part of the NHS screening service, you can get a free mammogram earlier if you detect a lump or a concerning sign. Newer, more effective screening tools are also in the pipeline, with Cancer Research UK-funded researchers developing an enhanced mammogram to detect cancer in women with extra-dense breasts (which can make it more difficult to spot the signs of cancer in the first place). Survival rate if caught early: 95 per cent. Lymphoma Warning sign: Swelling As a cancer that affects the lymphatic system (the complex network of vessels and glands that represent a vital part of the immune system), early signs of lymphoma typically present as painless swellings that form around the body's lymph nodes. 'You can get these swellings which people feel most commonly in the neck, the armpit and the groin,' says Dr Mahendra. 'You can also get swollen glands after a viral infection, but those tend to be tender and painful, while it could be lymphoma if it's painless and it has persisted for more than two weeks.' What to do? There isn't a blood test for lymphoma, but, if concerned, specialists will carry out a biopsy of the swollen lymph gland to come to a definitive diagnosis. Again, the key is to seek medical attention as soon as possible. 'You'd be surprised at how many people sometimes just ignore an unexplained swelling, and only present [themselves] at a much later stage with significant weight loss and enlarged lymph glands, as an emergency patient,' adds Dr Mahendra. Survival rate if caught early: 84-95 per cent. Bladder cancer Warning sign: blood in the urine Blood in urine is known to be a potential sign of prostate cancer (symptoms of which present mainly in late-stage cancer), but it could also indicate the presence of a bladder tumour. According to Dr Stevenson, this is because the vast majority of bladder cancers arise from cells in the lining of the bladder. 'Bleeding, a more frequent need to urinate, pain when urinating and recurrent infections are signs of bladder cancer,' he says. What to do? If bladder cancer can be detected before it has penetrated the bladder muscle layer, it is far easier to treat and send into remission. Doctors will likely recommend a flexible cystoscopy – a test in which a fibre-optic tube is used to directly examine the bladder lining. Survival rate if caught early: 80 per cent. 6. Skin cancer Warning sign: Irregular, unhealing moles Knowing whether a new spot or discolouration on the skin is just a standard mole or something more sinister is a common challenge and, to assist, skin cancer experts commonly refer to the so-called ABCD rule – where A stands for Asymmetry, B for Border Irregularity, C for Colour and D for Diameter. 'Essentially, you're looking for anything that's changing; which doesn't really look as it did previously,' says Dr Lee. 'So, either a new mole, an existing mole which is now bleeding or looking more lumpy than before, or looking more irregular. Or a sore that isn't healing, is very painful or seems to be spreading.' Because skin cancers can sometimes emerge in parts of the body where it isn't so easy to examine, such as the back, shoulders or backs of legs, Dr Lee advises asking for help from a partner or family member in self-checking. What to do? If concerned, consult your GP or a dermatologist. Skin cancers will be diagnosed through a combination of visual inspection, examination using a magnifying tool and, finally, a biopsy.
Daily Mail
20-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Julia Bradbury shares throwback bikini snaps from 'carefree' summer holiday prior to her breast cancer diagnosis: 'I thought I had nothing to worry about'
Julia Bradbury took to Instagram on Tuesday to share several bikini-clad snaps from her 'carefree' summer holiday in Greece several years ago, revealing to her followers that she 'had no idea' she was about to be diagnosed with breast cancer. The Countryfile presenter, 53, was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2021 and underwent a mastectomy to have her 6cm tumour removed. Reflecting on her family holiday and how she was unaware at the time, Julia candidly opened up to her followers about her breast cancer diagnosis before urging them to check themselves. Alongside the post, she wrote: 'Sitting next to the pool in beautiful Greece surrounded by my family, I felt the lump under my left breast, which I'd identified and had checked out a year before. She continued: '"Benign micro cysts.. nothing to worry about ...keep an eye on it." I went public with my scare to spread awareness about self checking. A lady emailed me and pleaded with me to watch out. 'She'd had the same diagnosis and it had turned out to be cancer. But what could I do..? Mammograms and ultrasounds didn't suggest anything sinister. 'So I watched, felt and waited and went for more scans the following year - right before these photos were taken. I wasn't unduly worried. I didn't think I had cancer. I didn't feel like I had cancer. 'I was wrong. My dense breasts make my screenings more complicated (you can't see cancerous tumours on mammograms) and increase my risk of breast cancer too. 'Eventually after a final "lets just check" ultrasound I had a biopsy that within a week had confirmed my worst fear. The Big C. 'I had excellent care, a life saving mastectomy to remove my left breast (one of the last photos here), and my new life began.' Urging her followers to get themselves checked, she added: 'I urge everyone to check themselves. Know your body. Take care of your health. 'Cancer has changed my life. I move, eat, sleep and think differently. I've cut out alcohol and sugar. I've opened myself up to joy and the small things. 'I have made positive changes for the good, to reduce my risks of recurrence, and to increase my chances of spending a full life with my children. She concluded: 'Don't let a scary diagnosis like mine be your prompt. Our health is our wealth.' She wrote: 'Sitting next to the pool in beautiful Greece surrounded by my family, I felt the lump under my left breast, which I'd identified and had checked out a year before' It comes after Julia recently broke down into tears as she recalled the heartbreaking moment she informed her husband, Gerard Cunningham, about her diagnosis. Appearing on Davina McCall 's Begin Again podcast, Julia spoke about the moment she phoned her partner, whom she has been married to since 2000, to break the devastating news. Julia said: 'I told him, and we cried. And I said, "I'll do whatever I have to do to get through this. I will do whatever it is".' Determined to fight, she expressed her readiness to face any challenge that may pop up ahead. 'If I have to lose a breast, I'll have to lose my hair. If I have to go, whatever it is I need to do,' she said. 'I'm going to do what I need to do to get through this.' Julia said fighting cancer is not the same for everyone. She said: 'Every type of cancer is different. Every type of breast cancer is different. 'You'll have a friend who's gone through breast cancer, and she and I will sit down and have a story, and we'll have had a different tumour in a different place, and it will behave differently. 'It's very complicated. And that's the reason why the war on cancer hasn't been won yet.' Julia shares her son Zephyr, 13, and her twin girls, Xanthe and Zena, eight, with her property developer husband, Gerard. In 2023, she spoke about her determination to 'stay alive' two years on from her breast cancer diagnosis. The journalist and TV presenter had the tumour, two lymph glands and her left breast removed before having reconstruction surgery. Julia has since revealed how her diagnosis changed her life, leading her to adopt a much healthier diet and go teetotal as she declared she will do everything possible to see her children grow up. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world and affects more than two MILLION women a year Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. Each year in the UK there are more than 55,000 new cases, and the disease claims the lives of 11,500 women. In the US, it strikes 266,000 each year and kills 40,000. But what causes it and how can it be treated? What is breast cancer? It comes from a cancerous cell which develops in the lining of a duct or lobule in one of the breasts. When the breast cancer has spread into surrounding tissue it is called 'invasive'. Some people are diagnosed with 'carcinoma in situ', where no cancer cells have grown beyond the duct or lobule. Most cases develop in those over the age of 50 but younger women are sometimes affected. Breast cancer can develop in men, though this is rare. Staging indicates how big the cancer is and whether it has spread. Stage 1 is the earliest stage and stage 4 means the cancer has spread to another part of the body. The cancerous cells are graded from low, which means a slow growth, to high, which is fast-growing. High-grade cancers are more likely to come back after they have first been treated. What causes breast cancer? A cancerous tumour starts from one abnormal cell. The exact reason why a cell becomes cancerous is unclear. It is thought that something damages or alters certain genes in the cell. This makes the cell abnormal and multiply 'out of control'. Although breast cancer can develop for no apparent reason, there are some risk factors that can increase the chance, such as genetics. What are the symptoms of breast cancer? The usual first symptom is a painless lump in the breast, although most are not cancerous and are fluid filled cysts, which are benign. The first place that breast cancer usually spreads to is the lymph nodes in the armpit. If this occurs you will develop a swelling or lump in an armpit. How is breast cancer diagnosed? Initial assessment: A doctor examines the breasts and armpits. They may do tests such as a mammography, a special x-ray of the breast tissue which can indicate the possibility of tumours. Biopsy: A biopsy is when a small sample of tissue is removed from a part of the body. The sample is then examined under a microscope to look for abnormal cells. The sample can confirm or rule out cancer. If you are confirmed to have breast cancer, further tests may be needed to assess if it has spread. For example, blood tests, an ultrasound scan of the liver or a chest X-ray. How is breast cancer treated? Treatment options which may be considered include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone treatment. Often a combination of two or more of these treatments are used. Surgery: Breast-conserving surgery or the removal of the affected breast depending on the size of the tumour. Radiotherapy: A treatment which uses high energy beams of radiation focused on cancerous tissue. This kills cancer cells, or stops them from multiplying. It is mainly used in addition to surgery. Chemotherapy: A treatment of cancer by using anti-cancer drugs which kill cancer cells, or stop them from multiplying. Hormone treatments: Some types of breast cancer are affected by the 'female' hormone oestrogen, which can stimulate the cancer cells to divide and multiply. Treatments which reduce the level of these hormones, or prevent them from working, are commonly used in people with breast cancer. How successful is treatment? The outlook is best in those who are diagnosed when the cancer is still small, and has not spread. Surgical removal of a tumour in an early stage may then give a good chance of cure. The routine mammography offered to women between the ages of 50 and 71 means more breast cancers are being diagnosed and treated at an early stage.
The Independent
11-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
How to manage your money in uncertain times
Financial wellbeing is the sense of security and ease that comes with knowing you can pay your bills today, deal with the unexpected and that you're on track for a healthy financial future. Sounds dreamy, no? Financial wellbeing matters because it's hard to think clearly and make decisions that serve you when you're living under a cloud of money worries. Well, I don't need to tell you that these are uncertain times – globally, politically, economically. If you're overwhelmed and living with money worries, it's understandable. Money is emotional Money is emotional. Our emotions, such as fear, despair, guilt, shame, sadness and anger influence how we behave with money. Managing your money in uncertain times is about understanding your relationship with money and managing your behaviour accordingly. While's it's not helpful to act out of fear and panic, it's also not helpful to procrastinate and not make a decision at all. Start by checking-in with yourself. How are you feeling about your financial situation? What does financial security look like for you now, in the next six months, in a year's time? Financial review Then, review where you are now. Your income, your outgoings, your savings, your investments. Once you know where you are, you can make an informed decision about what, if anything, needs to change to increase your financial security and give you peace of mind. Set financial goals. Get clear on what you want to achieve and why, and take action. Focus on what's within your control. Shopping around for the best interest-rates on savings and mortgages? Within your control. Setting interest rates? Not so much. Managing behaviour How is this playing out in real life? For one of my money coaching clients, it's speaking with her husband about life insurance and income protection as they're soon to become parents. For another, it's reviewing her income and outgoings and looking for a new, higher-paid role after being informed her current job is at risk of redundancy. Another client is reviewing the balance of savings versus investments. Jon Nicholson Ashcroft is an independent financial adviser at Ashcroft Wealth, based in Cardiff. We spoke about how he helps clients manage their behaviour with investments, particularly following the effect of the announcement of US tariffs on global markets. Talk through fears Ashcroft says: 'I emailed clients after the tariffs were announced to explain what we were doing, what the fund managers will be doing, and that we would be in touch if anything changed. 'I had one client call me, who's a particularly nervous client. And that's absolutely fine, that's what I'm here for – managing expectations, helping clients talk through their fears, coaching them really and helping them make sure that they're still investing for the right reasons. 'If people want to cash in their investments motivated by fear or panic, if they think that the market is going to keep going down and they're going to end up with nothing, it's my job to try and reassure them, reminding them why they're invested.' 'Investing shouldn't keep you up at night' 'I have said to clients in the past who are overly worried that perhaps this isn't right for you,' Ashcroft says. 'Investing shouldn't keep you awake at night. You need to be happy with what you're doing and if you're not, then maybe it's not for you. I give people that option because there should be no pressure. 'People shouldn't think they need to be invested. It has to be something that works for them and delivers an end goal rather than something that causes them to worry about their money disappearing.' Personal finance is personal 'Personal finance is personal,' says Funmi Olufunwa, qualified mortgage adviser and finance expert. 'One thing that frustrates me is that we have all of these headlines that talk about mortgage interest rates. Yes, those rates are available in the market but they're not necessarily rates available for you. 'I see it a lot on Facebook groups I'm in. People will ask others: 'How much did you borrow? Where did you borrow? What rate did you get?' But this doesn't mean that particular lender is going to lend you that amount of money at that particular rate. 'The most important thing you can do is work out your financial goals, then speak to somebody who can then say: 'Based on your situation, this is what's available to you.' Which may not be, for example, the 4 per cent mortgage rate you're hearing about in the news because that's likely to be for people who have a big deposit of at least 40 per cent. 'There was a period of time when everyone was saying 'just go for a tracker mortgage '.' This is a variable-rate mortgage that tracks a base rate, typically the Bank of England base rate. Know yourself But, says Olufunwa, 'If you're the sort of person feeling sick in the week leading up to the base rate announcement because you're worried the rate's going to go up and you know you don't have a lot of leeway in your budget, that would suggest a tracker mortgage isn't the type of product for you.' If certainty over your monthly mortgage repayments will help you sleep at night, a fixed-rate mortgage may be the better product for you, says Olufunwa. 'So, ignore what Bob next door's doing because you don't know Bob's circumstances, how much flex he's got in his budget or what his risk tolerance is. 'Bob might love the anticipation of the base rate announcement, whereas you're freaking out. Personal finance is personal.' Talia Loderick is a money coach. Talia helps people understand and take control of their behaviour with money so they can stop stressing about money and have enough to live well – now and in future. Visit:
