There are more than 200 different types of cancer, and each is diagnosed and treated in a particular way. Cancer that’s diagnosed at an early stage, when it isn’t too large and hasn’t spread, is more likely to be treated successfully.
We urge those who are eligible to come forward for screening when invited and to speak to their GP if they notice any unusual changes in their body without delay.
Below you will find key information about some of the most common cancers in north west London.
Do you know if you have a family history of prostate cancer? Finding out could save your life.
1 in 8 men will get prostate cancer. If you are over 45, or you are black, or a member of your family has had it, you are at even higher risk.
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in the UK. However, it is not always life threatening if detected early. Prostate cancer usually develops slowly, so there may be no signs for many years. The earlier it is detected the more likely it can be treated.
Most men with early prostate cancer don’t have any signs or symptoms. The earlier it is diagnosed the more chance of successful treatment. That's why it's important to know your risk.
The risk factors:
- Being male, over 45
- Having black or mixed black ethnicity
- Having a family history of prostate cancer (father or brother)
Black men are more likely to get prostate cancer than other men. In the UK, about 1 in 4 black men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime.
The prostate is a small gland in the pelvis and is part of the male reproductive system. About the size of a walnut, it’s located between the penis and the bladder, and surrounds the urethra. When looking at ways to detect prostate cancer, there is a blood test called a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. The test measures the level of PSA and may help detect early prostate cancer. If you have 2 out of the 3 factors listed above speak to your GP.
Trouble swallowing, persistent indigestion or heartburn, unintentional weight loss? These are all symptoms that could indicate oesophageal cancer
Oesophageal cancer is aggressive, and outcomes can be improved if caught early.
Oesophageal cancer is found in the oesophagus, sometimes called the gullet or food pipe. The wall of the oesophagus is made of several layers of tissue. These include the inner layer (mucosa), muscle, and connective tissue. Oesophageal cancer starts in the inner lining of the oesophagus and spreads outward through the other layers.
Knowing which symptoms to look out for means that the cancer can be caught and treated as quickly and effectively as possible. The most common symptoms are:
- having problems swallowing (dysphagia)
- feeling or being sick
- heartburn or acid reflux
- symptoms of indigestion
- loss of appetite or losing weight without trying to.
If you have another condition, such as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, you may get symptoms like these regularly, but you should contact your GP if these symptoms change or get worse.
Around 9,300 people are diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in the UK each year. It is more common in men than women and the chances of developing the cancer increase with age.
Oesophageal cancer can affect anyone, but you are more at risk if you are:
- Aged 55+
- Drink alcohol or smoke heavily
- Are very overweight
- Have a medical condition that affects your oesophagus
If you are experiencing the symptoms listed above, you should contact your GP. They can assess you and arrange additional tests or a referral if needed. Having these symptoms does not mean you have cancer, but it is advisable to get them checked.
Detecting oesophageal cancer sooner can make it easier to treat. If you have symptoms you are concerned about, please contact your GP practice. #ClearOnCancer
Find out more - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/oesophageal-cancer/
Do you know the symptoms of lung cancer? Don’t ignore symptoms that could indicate that you have lung cancer. Contact your GP practice.
Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in England and is the biggest cause of cancer death. The risk of getting lung cancer increases with age and most people who are diagnosed are aged 55 or older.
Approximately 28,100 people die from lung cancer in England each year, and over 57% of lung cancer patients in the UK are still diagnosed too late for curative treatment.
Though more common in those with a smoking history, around 15% of lung cancers are diagnosed in people who have never smoked.
Symptoms of lung cancer include:
- A persistent cough
- Persistent breathlessness
- Chest infections that keep coming back
- An ache or pain when breathing or coughing
Lung cancer symptoms can also be vague, and include fatigue, weight loss and loss of appetite.
Many of these symptoms can also be caused by other medical conditions. However, finding lung cancer sooner can make it easier to treat. If you have symptoms you are concerned about, please contact your GP practice.
If you receive an NHS breast screening invitation, please respond as soon as possible. Screening saves lives.
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK. Most women diagnosed with breast cancer are over the age of 50, but younger women can also get breast cancer. As the risk of breast cancer increases with age, all women who are 50 to 70 years old are invited for breast cancer screening every 3 years.
Women over the age of 70 are also entitled to screening and can arrange an appointment through their GP or local screening unit.
Find your local screening service
Breast screening or mammographic screening is when X-ray images of the breast are taken and is the most common way of finding any abnormal changes in your breast tissue at an early stage. If cancer is detected at an early stage, it can be treated before it spreads to other parts of the body.
About one in eight women are diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. There's a good chance of recovery if it's detected at an early stage. For this reason, it's vital that women check their breasts regularly for any changes and always have any changes examined by a GP
Find out more about breast cancer screening.
Don’t ignore potential symptoms of gynaecological cancers. Contact your GP practice if you are concerned.
There are five gynaecological or women’s cancers: womb, ovarian, cervical, vulval and vaginal, which together affect 22,000 women each year in the UK. You can find out more about women’s cancers here.
Ovarian cancer
This cancer affects the 2 small organs (ovaries) that store the eggs needed for fertilisation. Anyone with ovaries can get ovarian cancer, but it mostly affects those over 50. Sometimes ovarian cancer can run in families.
There are around 7,500 new ovarian cancer cases in the UK each year, that's 21 every day.
Symptoms of ovarian cancer include having persistent bloating or a swollen tummy, frequently feeling full quickly after eating or having no appetite, persistent pain in your lower tummy, or needing to pee more urgently or more often than usual.
Ovarian cancer is often diagnosed late, but early diagnosis can mean it is more treatable. This is why if you notice any of these symptoms it is so important that you contact your GP practice.
More information on ovarian cancer can be found here.
Cervical cancer
Cervical cancer is most frequently caused by an infection from certain types of HPV.
Cervical screening aims to find and treat changes to cells before they turn into cancer. It is offered to women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64. There are helpful resources available here.
Cancer of the womb (uterus)
This is the most common gynaecological cancer in the UK for women.
There are around 9,700 new womb cancer cases in the UK every year, that's 27 every day. More information about womb cancer can be found here.
The main symptoms include: bleeding or spotting from the vagina after the menopause, heavy periods that are unusual for you, bleeding between your periods, and a change to your vaginal discharge.
If you are worried about any of these symptoms contact your GP practice.
Bowel screening saves lives, are you up to date?
Every 15 minutes somebody is diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK and it is one of the most common types of cancers diagnosed in the UK. Screening aims to detect bowel cancer at an early stage and when treatment has the best chance of being successful.
Bowel Cancer screening is done at home, the kit which includes simple instructions is sent in the post and test results arrive back in the post within 2 weeks. If you would like the NHS to send you a testing kit call the free bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 60 60.
In this short video Dr. Abhijit Singh Gill, NW London Cancer Lead for Primary Care explains the importance of bowel cancer screening, how it works and who can do it.
If you are worried about a family history of bowel cancer or have any symptoms speak to a GP for advice. For more information on the symptoms and how to arrange your screening, visit the NHS.UK website.
What screening is available?
- Cervical screening
- Breast screening
- Bowel cancer screening
When are you invited for screening?
Cervical screening is offered to women aged 25 to 64 to check the health of cells in the cervix. It is offered every 3 years for those aged 26 to 49, and every 5 years from the ages of 50 to 64.
Breast screening is offered to women aged 50 to 70 to detect early signs of breast cancer. Women over 70 can self-refer.
Bowel cancer screening everyone aged 60 to 74 is offered a bowel cancer screening home test kit every 2 years.
If you're 75 or over, you can ask for a kit every 2 years by phoning the free bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 60 60.
If I miss the appointment or do not remember, will they remind me again?
Bowel - If you're worried about a family history of bowel cancer or have any symptoms, speak to a GP for advice. You can also ask for the home test kit every 2 years by phoning the free bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 60 60. More information here https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bowel-cancer-screening/
Cervical – Cervical screening is taking place contact your GP surgery online or by phone if you think you are due to have cervical screening but have not been sent an invite.
Breast - Breast screening is taking place, if you think you are due to have cervical screening but have not been sent an invite please call your nearest breast screening service and by visiting https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/other-services/Breast-screening-services/LocationSearch/325
How will they notify me of the result and when?
Cervical screening
Your cervical screening results are usually sent to you in a letter. Sometimes you may be asked to call your GP to get the results.
The nurse or doctor who does your cervical screening will tell you when you can expect your results letter.
If you have waited longer than you expected, call your GP surgery to see if they have any updates.
Breast screening
You'll receive a letter with your breast screening results within 2 weeks of your appointment. The results will also be sent to your GP.
Bowel cancer screening
Your result should be posted to you within 2 weeks of sending off your kit.
When do I see my GP if I have noticed a change in my body?
Changes to your body's normal processes or unusual, unexplained symptoms can sometimes be an early sign of cancer.
Symptoms that need to be checked by a doctor include:
• a lump that suddenly appears on your body
• unexplained bleeding
• changes to your bowel habits
But in many cases your symptoms will not be related to cancer and will be caused by other, non-cancerous health conditions.
Will I have the option of seeing my doctor face to face?
Yes, all GP practices in NW London are offering face to face appointments but in the interest of patient and staff safety you may have a telephone call with your GP first who will then decide what steps are needed. If you need a face to face appointment you will be invited in to your practice..
I know GPs are busy I don’t want to bother my GP should I wait to see if my symptoms get worse?
No, the NHS may be busy but your health is important to us and we are here and ready to see you safely. Please speak to your GP right away if you have noticed something that is not normal for you.
Early diagnosis in cancer is crucial.
So whether you or a loved one has a routine appointment, or a potential cancer symptom, our message is clear – you are not a burden, we are here to safely care for you so please don't delay, come forward as you usually would. Cancer won’t wait and we can see you safely.
Could the tests be delayed due to the coronavirus?
No, NHS staff have been working hard to keep these services going throughout the pandemic, so please do attend when invited for an appointment for any tests.
If during the tests I have any questions, can I call my GP?
The NHS is here to support you. Hospital teams will often receive the results to tests that they have ordered, and will communicate these to you as soon as possible. Your GP is available to support you through any worries or questions that you may have.
Is it safe to visit NHS premises? I’m worried about attending an appointment.
The NHS puts safety first above anything else and we have worked really hard to put lots of measures in place to protect our patients and our staff, and stop the spread.
These measures mean that people who do not have Covid can also safely access services.
If something is detected and I need further tests, should I still have the vaccine?
We encourage safe administration of the COVID vaccination. A diagnosis of cancer does not mean that you cannot have the vaccine. If you have any worries, please speak to your GP.