Why it is important to talk

“My name is Doctor Alan Stout and I have been a GP for 12 years.

“Working as a GP, one of the most common things we hear when patients come in is that they don’t want to bother us or that they feel they are wasting our time.

“Some people and especially men can be reluctant to see their doctor. This might be because they are embarrassed about where something is on their body or worried about what tests might show.

“The doctor will always make you feel comfortable and encourage you to talk about your symptoms.

“In my experience, the earlier things can be picked up, the earlier people can be reassured and can move forward.

“Cancer is a common condition and will affect more than one in three of us in our lifetimes. It is therefore very important to be aware of cancer and its causes and its symptoms.

“It is important to know about the signs and symptoms of cancer and what we can do to help prevent it. There are also a lot of great screening programmes that are important in the early detection and prevention of cancer.

“Here are some of the common signs and symptoms you should ask your doctor to check out.

• a change in bowel habit that lasts for more than six weeks;
• coughing up blood;
• blood in urine or mixed through bowel motion (stools);
• unexplained, significant weight loss;
• a lump anywhere on your body;
• changes on your skin or to an existing mole (such as itching, bleeding or a change in shape or colour);
• a sore that doesn’t heal;
• Symptoms that refuse to clear up, eg a cough or hoarseness that lasts for more than three weeks.

“Remember these signs and symptoms don’t necessarily mean you’ve got cancer, but it is important to get them checked to ensure that nothing is wrong.

“So please remember, if you do have any concerns, speak to your doctor.

“You are certainly not wasting anyone’s time and if tests come back as normal, your mind will be put at ease.

“In my experience, the earlier it is detected, the better the chances of successful treatment.

“So if you are worried at all, please come and see us.”

I am Dr Rachel Edwards and I have been a GP for 20 years

Cancer is a common condition and the risk increases as we age, especially once you are over 50.

It’s important to be aware of the general signs and symptoms of cancer because this can help with early detection.

You know your body best, so if something doesn’t feel quite right or is unusual for you, such as a lump, bleeding or other unexplained changes to your body, don’t ignore it. The first step is to go and speak to your GP.

You will not be wasting anyone's time and in many cases these symptoms turn out to be a sign of something less serious, but it is always best to get checked and put your mind at ease.

However, if it is cancer, early diagnosis can make all the difference. There have been many advances in cancer treatments since I started working as a GP.

The sooner cancer is detected, the earlier treatment can start and this is more likely to lead to a successful outcome.

If you are worried at all, don’t just talk to yourself. It’s better to talk to your GP.