Usually, cancer is confirmed after someone goes to their GP (family doctor) with symptoms they are worried about. If your GP thinks there is any possibility that you may have cancer, they will refer you to a hospital outpatient department for further examinations and tests.
Until quite recently, most health campaigns and prevention messages have tended to be directed more at women than men. As a result, men are often not so familiar with their bodies and don’t always notice or recognise unusual symptoms. Men can be reluctant to go to a doctor with what may feel like mild symptoms. Sometimes they put things off until the symptoms have become really bad. They may be less sure about how to handle any health problems they do notice – and they may be more reluctant to see a doctor.
Symptoms that may be due to cancer:
Change in bladder or bowel habit
A sore which does not heal
Unusual bleeding or discharge
Thickening or lump in the breast or elsewhere
Indigestion or difficultly in swallowing
Obvious change in a wart or mole
Nagging cough or persistent hoarseness
Many of the symptoms described may not be caused by cancer, but it is important to get things checked out as soon as possible ‘just in case’, so if it is cancer it can be treated as early as possible. If it is not cancer, you may have symptoms of another medical condition that can be treated.
The number of tests you have, how long they take and how often you will have to go to the hospital all depend on the type of cancer the doctors suspect, where it is and at what stage it is. Read more on 'types of tests'
This is a worrying time
There is the wait for the initial hospital appointment, a possible wait to have the tests you need, and a further wait to see a doctor to get the results. If the tests confirm cancer, there may be additional tests to get a fuller picture.
Some people get very frustrated at this stage because they feel they have no control over what’s happening. It seems they have no choice but to sit and wait until tests are completed and the results are available.
If you need extra support at this difficult time, there are people and organisations who can give you support even before it is confirmed whether or not you have cancer.
Need to talk to someone? We are here to help. Call Cancerline freephone on 0808 808 2020