25 February 2024 , 07:21
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Health experts have warned Brits of the three symptoms of cancer we should all be on the lookout for when we sit down for dinner.
They can appear when having food and should not be ignored. There are 375,000 new cases of cancer diagnosed every year and in every two people, one is expected to develop at some time in their life. But identifying it is the key and the sooner you receive treatment, the more chance you have of making a full recovery.
Cancer charity Macmillan say several symptoms can affect how we eat. If these are noticed you should to visit a GP as soon as possible. ChronicleLive reports the first to look out for is a loss of appetite - and if you don't feel as hungry as usual, or you get full quick, you should book a doctor's appointment.
Cancer experts say if you don't feel as hungry as usual a doctor's appointment should be booked (Getty Images)Another symptom to look out for is difficulty swallowing, chewing, or feeling like something is constantly stuck in your throat. Finally, if you develop indigestion or heartburn for more than three could be a warning sign. Macmillan advise you to speak to a doctor if you suffer bloating or a swollen stomach, especially for prolonged periods. While bloating is a symptom of many different conditions, it has also been witnessed in ovarian, peritoneum and fallopian forms of cancer.
The charity also warned people to look out for changes to bowel movements, especially for issues which continue for three weeks or more. Loose stools, hard stools, blood in the stool and needing to excrete more frequently are all signs to look out for. All of the symptoms it warned about could be signs of less concerning diseases, but it's always vital to get them checked out in case they are cancer.
Warning as popular food and drink ‘increase risk of cancer death by up to 30%’
The Mirror reported that the Duchess of York warned people not to skip cancer health checks as “days could make the difference between life and death”.
Difficulty swallowing could be another indication of cancer (Getty Images/iStockphoto)Sarah Ferguson, 64 urged people to take action after she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of skin cancer in January. The duchess - mother to Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, who 'beat breast cancer' last year, said her skin cancer diagnosis of malignant melanoma “came as a shock”.
But she thanked her family for their support and revealed it had been her sister who’d urged her not to put off a routine mammogram. She posted on Instagram: "Days could make the difference between life and death, so please don't skip or put off your health checks and urge your loved ones to go to theirs."
The Duke of York's ex-wife found out less than a year after facing breast cancer. It was discovered because her dermatologist had asked for several moles to be removed and analysed at the same time as the duchess was undergoing reconstructive surgery after her mastectomy.