A consultant examines a mammogram. There are warning signs women can look out for to ensure breast cancer is detected early. PA
A consultant examines a mammogram. There are warning signs women can look out for to ensure breast cancer is detected early. PA
A consultant examines a mammogram. There are warning signs women can look out for to ensure breast cancer is detected early. PA
A consultant examines a mammogram. There are warning signs women can look out for to ensure breast cancer is detected early. PA

Cancer warning signs: the 13 symptoms experts recommend looking out for


Daniel Bardsley
  • English
  • Arabic

Cancer is the leading cause of death globally, the World Health Organisation says, killing almost 10 million people each year.

While about one in six deaths are due to cancer, many forms of the disease can be cured if they are detected early and treatment begins promptly.

Cancer Research UK (Cruk) says 92 per cent of people will survive bowel cancer for five years or more if it is diagnosed in the earliest stage, but the five-year survival rate for patients diagnosed in the final stage, stage four, is only 10 per cent.

Yet, according to a survey by the polling organisation YouGov, the results of which were released this month by Cruk, slightly fewer than half of people contacted their GP within six months of experiencing a symptom that could indicate cancer.

Early detection is vital

“Spotting cancer early is vital if more people are to survive and the first step in that process is getting help for a possible cancer symptom,” Michelle Mitchell, Cruk’s chief executive, said in a statement.

To encourage people to be more aware and to get themselves checked where necessary, the organisation has highlighted several cancer warning signs.

While something much less serious may be the cause of symptoms, the organisation recommends getting medical attention in case cancer is the reason.

Here are 13 warning signs to look out for.

1. Unexplained weight loss

Unexpected weight loss is a cause for further investigation. PA
Unexpected weight loss is a cause for further investigation. PA

Significant weight loss without an obvious reason, such as diet, exercise or stress, may be a sign of certain types of cancer and should be investigated.

2. Heavy night sweats

Infections, some medications and the menopause may result in night sweats but cancers such as leukaemia and lymphoma can lead to heavy, drenching night sweats.

3. Unusual lumps or swelling

Areas such as the armpit, breast, groin and testicles should be checked often for lumps, and any persistent lumps or swellings anywhere on the body, including in these areas and the stomach or chest, deserve medical attention.

4. Bloating

The UK’s National Health Service advises people to see their doctor if they experience bloating for three weeks or more. Bloating that comes and goes is also a concern. Ovarian cancer is a possible cause.

5. Moles or other skin changes

A new mole, or an existing one that changes shape, size or colour, or bleeds or oozes, or itches or becomes crusty or flaky, should be checked out, as should spots, warts or sores that fail to heal. Medical attention should also be sought if a patch of skin or a nail changes in an unusual way.

6. Indigestion or difficulty swallowing

Various cancers can lead to persistent swallowing problems or indigestion, while a persisting loss of appetite is another red flag.

7. Hoarse voice or coughing

Throat or lung cancers can cause a hoarse voice or a cough, so if these symptoms persist, people are recommended to see a doctor. Breathlessness should also be checked out.

8. Tiredness

Some cancer can lead to fatigue. Getty Images
Some cancer can lead to fatigue. Getty Images

Many factors can cause fatigue, including a poor diet or stress, but various types of cancer can, similarly, lead to tiredness because they begin in the bone marrow and affect the body’s ability to produce oxygen-carrying red blood cells. Simply feeling unwell is another warning sign.

9. Unexplained pain

While many other factors may be at play, persistent pain could be a sign of cancer and is a reason to see a doctor.

10. Changes when going to the toilet

Blood in faeces or urine is cause to see a doctor, as are persistent stomach aches, diarrhoea or constipation, anal pain, loose, pale or greasy faeces, or a feeling that the bowels have not been emptied. Problems with urinating, such as being unable to, pain, or having to go suddenly or more often, should also be checked.

11. Bleeding

Aside from blood when going to the toilet, bleeding from the bottom, in vomit, while coughing or from the vagina outside of menstruation cycles should be investigated.

12. Breast changes

If a breast changes in size, shape or feel, or if there is redness pain or skin changes, it is worth receiving medical attention. If fluid, including bloodstained fluid, leaks, especially if a woman is not pregnant or breastfeeding, that may be another warning sign.

13. Mouth ulcers or sores

Many people experience mouth ulcers regularly but any ulcer or a red or white patch in the mouth that persists for three weeks or more should be looked at by a doctor.

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Wydad Nahiri 21’, Hajhouj 90'

Urawa Antonio 18’, 60’, Kashiwagi 26’

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Switch%20Foods%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Edward%20Hamod%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abu%20Dhabi%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Plant-based%20meat%20production%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2034%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%246.5%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20round%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Seed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Based%20in%20US%20and%20across%20Middle%20East%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

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Transmission: 8-speed auto

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On sale: Now

Price: From Dh650,000

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T20 WORLD CUP 

2024: US and West Indies; 2026: India and Sri Lanka; 2028: Australia and New Zealand; 2030: England, Ireland and Scotland 

ODI WORLD CUP 

2027: South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia; 2031: India and
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CHAMPIONS TROPHY 

2025: Pakistan; 2029: India  

Liz%20Truss
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MATCH INFO

Tottenham Hotspur 3 (Son 1', Kane 8' & 16') West Ham United 3 (Balbuena 82', Sanchez og 85', Lanzini 90' 4)

Man of the match Harry Kane

Results

5pm: Wadi Nagab – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Al Falaq, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ahmed Al Shemaili (trainer)

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6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: AF Fakhama, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash

6.30pm: Wadi Shees – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Mutaqadim, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami

7pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 – Listed (PA) Dh230,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Bahar Muscat, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami

7.30pm: Wadi Tayyibah – Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Poster Paint, Patrick Cosgrave, Bhupat Seemar

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Started: October 2023
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Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
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Investment stage: Pre-seed
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Charlie Preston (captain) – goal shooter/ goalkeeper (Dubai College)

Arushi Holt (vice-captain) – wing defence / centre (Jumeriah English Speaking School)  

Olivia Petricola (vice-captain) – centre / wing attack (Dubai English Speaking College)

Isabel Affley – goalkeeper / goal defence (Dubai English Speaking College)

Jemma Eley – goal attack / wing attack (Dubai College)

Alana Farrell-Morton – centre / wing / defence / wing attack (Nord Anglia International School)

Molly Fuller – goal attack / wing attack (Dubai College)

Caitlin Gowdy – goal defence / wing defence (Dubai English Speaking College)

Noorulain Hussain – goal defence / wing defence (Dubai College)

Zahra Hussain-Gillani – goal defence / goalkeeper (British School Al Khubairat)

Claire Janssen – goal shooter / goal attack (Jumeriah English Speaking School)         

Eliza Petricola – wing attack / centre (Dubai English Speaking College)

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Founders: Khawla Hammad and Inas Abu Shashieh

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Sector: HealthTech and wellness

Number of staff: 4

Funding to date: Bootstrapped

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Online grocer Ocado revealed retail sales fell 5.7 per cen in its first quarter as customers switched back to pre-pandemic shopping patterns.

It was a tough comparison from a year earlier, when the UK was in lockdown, but on a two-year basis its retail division, a joint venture with Marks&Spencer, rose 31.7 per cent over the quarter.

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Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo 

Power: 265hp from 5,000-6,500rpm 

Torque: 400Nm from 1,800-4,500rpm 

Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto 

Speed: 0-100kph in 6.2sec 

Top speed: 232kph 

Fuel consumption: 10.7L/100km 

On sale: May or June 

Price: From Dh259,900  

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Director: John Madden 

 

Cast: Colin Firth, Matthew Macfayden, Kelly Macdonald and Penelope Wilton

 

Rating: 4/5

 
The bio

His favourite book - 1984 by George Orwell

His favourite quote - 'If you think education is expensive, try ignorance' by Derek Bok, Former President of Harvard

Favourite place to travel to - Peloponnese, Southern Greece

Favourite movie - The Last Emperor

Favourite personality from history - Alexander the Great

Role Model - My father, Yiannis Davos

 

 

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Updated: August 17, 2022, 7:01 AM