THE last thing on your mind at a Christmas party is cancer – and that’s really how it should be.
Christmas is a time for great food, delicious drinks and all-round festive fun.
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But it is worth being aware of some of the most common symptoms of the disease, as an early diagnosis could save your life.
Cancer Research UK says: “Spotting cancer at an early stage saves lives, so tell your doctor if you notice anything that isn’t normal for you.
“You don’t need to try and remember all the signs and symptoms of cancer – listen to your body.
“Signs and symptoms are more often caused by something less serious than cancer.
“But if it is cancer, spotting it early can make a real difference.”
Here are just some of the symptoms that might crop up this festive season.
1. Feeling bloated
Some level of bloating around Christmas is almost a given – we eat and drink a lot after all.
But an extra swollen tummy or persistent bloating could indicate there is something more serious going on.
While it can be a sign of irritable bowel syndrome or coeliac disease, it is also one of the most common symptoms of ovarian, stomach and liver cancer.
CRUK says: “It’s quite common to experience a bloated or swollen tummy that comes and goes from time to time.
“But if you feel bloated most days, even if it comes and goes, talk to your doctor.”
2. Fluttering stomach
Another red flag symptom is a sense of ‘fluttering’ beneath the ribs.
A 2014 British Medical Journal report referred to patients experiencing ‘pain’ and ‘fluttering’ in their stomach ahead of a pancreatic cancer diagnosis.
Lisa Woodrow, pancreatic cancer specialist nurse at Pancreatic Cancer UK, says: “We don’t frequently hear people talk about a fluttering sensation in their abdomen, but this could be related to digestive issues caused by the pancreas not working properly.”
3. Difficulty swallowing
It might also be time to see a doctor if you notice you’re finding it difficult to sip your prosecco or munch on mince pies.
This could present as pain or a burning sensation, or food may stick in your throat or chest.
“These are the most common symptoms of oesophageal cancer,” CRUK says.
“Talk to your doctor if you are having difficulty swallowing and the problem doesn’t go away.”
4. Gurgling insides
Gurgling sounds coming from within aren’t uncommon over the festive period, but it’s another symptom to be on alert for.
Lisa Woodrow, who oversees hundreds of cancer patients, says many experience the same sensation.
“I wonder often if this is due to malabsorption of food due to insufficient pancreatic enzymes, thus this is often wind and digestion related,” she added.
5. Changes in taste
Food and drink can taste peculiar when you have some cancer treatments, but it can also be a symptom of advanced cancer.
This often presents as a metallic taste, and is most common in patients with head and neck cancer.
Experts say people may also feel their sense of smell is altered, and how their mouth feels is different.
6. Indigestion
“It is normal to feel slight discomfort or pain sometimes after eating a large, fatty or spicy meal,” CRUK says.
“But if you have heartburn or indigestion a lot, or if it is particularly painful, then you should see your doctor.”
Indigestion, also known as heartburn or acid reflux, is one of the symptoms of stomach and pancreatic cancer.
7. Nausea
Nausea (and sometimes vomiting) occurs in up to 70 per cent of people with cancer, research shows.
This can be due to certain chemicals, tumours blocking the digestive system, having a slow gut or too much calcium in the blood, for example.
Brain tumours, liver tumours, and GI tumours are more likely to cause nausea and vomiting, according to CancerNet.
However, it’s reassuring to know that feeling a little sick is also common in cases of food poisoning, norovirus and vertigo.
8. Dizziness
Feeling lightheaded every now and then is usually nothing to worry about.
So getting a little dizzy at your work Christmas do means there is likely no need to panic.
But if the sensation persists for more than a couple of days, you should speak to your GP.
While unlikely, dizziness and feeling off-balance can be a sign of blood cancer or a brain tumour.
9. Croaky voice
Festive get-togethers involve speaking to a lot of people.
At work, it’s non-stop chatter with your colleagues, while at home it might be playing loud games with the kids.
The addition of blaring Christmas music also means you might need to shout – so it’s only natural you might sound a little hoarse.
Having a croaky voice is common with colds and viruses, but hoarseness that hasn’t gone away should be checked out, CRUK says.
It could be a sign of laryngeal, throat or lung cancer, the charity adds.
10. Loss of appetite
Appetite loss can happen for many different reasons – from infections to depression.
But if you notice you’re not as hungry as usual – especially over Christmas – and it’s not getting any better, speak to your doctor.
Ovarian, lung, stomach and pancreatic cancers can all make you want to eat less.
11. Back pain
Standing up for long periods at parties throughout December can make our legs and backs hurt.
But unexplained or persistent aches and pains can also be a sign of cancer.
The location of these could indicate the type – chest pain for lung cancer, for example – but it may also mean the disease has spread.
This is a sign you need a health screening.
CRUK says: “Pain is one way our body tells us that something is wrong.
“As we get older, it’s more common to experience aches and pains.
“But unexplained or persistent pain anywhere in the body could be a sign of something more serious.”
12. Swelling
The same goes for swelling.
“Persistent lumps or swelling in any part of your body should be taken seriously,” CRUK says.
“This includes any lumps in the neck, armpit, stomach, groin, chest, breast, or testicle.”
So if you notice any unusual lumps while squeezing into your Christmas party dress or suit, take note.
The build-up of fluid that causes swelling, known as lymphoedema, occurs in cancer patients when the disease blocks a lymph node or vessels.
13. Fatigue
Finally, partygoers should be aware that fatigue can be a sign of cancer.
Doing any kind of physical activity, including housework, decorating the Christmas tree and festive nights out, can be a little tiring.
However, if you’re feeling tired for no clear reason, it could be a sign that something is wrong.
Extreme fatigue is a common symptom of blood cancers like leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma, as well as breast, bowel and prostate cancer.
CRUK estimates almost 65 per cent of people with cancer experience fatigue.
The charity says: “There are lots of reasons why you may feel more tired than usual, particularly if you’re going through a stressful event, or having trouble sleeping.
“But if you’re feeling tired all the time, or, for no clear reason, it could be a sign that something is wrong – speak to your doctor.”
Cancer kills around 167,000 people in the UK every year.
The earlier the disease is caught, the better the chance of survival.
Cancer screenings in England
CATCHING cancer early gives you the best chance of survival, and a huge part of that is attending regular screenings.
NHS programmes can help diagnose the disease, or risk of it, and improve the likelihood of successful treatment.
There are three national screening programmes in England: cervical screening, breast screening and bowel screening.
“If you are eligible, please make every effort to have your screening test as they can detect a problem early, before you have any symptoms. ,” the NHS says.
“Finding out about a problem early can mean that treatment is more effective.”
Cervical screening
This is offered in England to people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 and is routinely carried out every three years up to the age of 49, and every five from 50 to 64.
Depending on the result, people may be recalled earlier.
During a cervical screening, samples are tested for high risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which causes nearly all cervical cancers.
Those that test positive are then analysed further.
Breast screening
Breast screenings, which involve an X-ray test called a mammogram that can spot cancers when they are too small to see or feel, are usually offered to women aged 50 to 71 in England.
But the NHS is trialling them for women under 50 if they have a high risk of developing breast cancer.
Bowel screening
This test detects whether patients are showing any early signs of cancer.
It is available to everyone aged 54 to 74, with the programme gradually expanding to those 50-plus after The Sun’s No Time 2 Lose campaign.
Currently, those aged 54 to 74 are automatically sent an at-home test kit every two years, so make sure your GP has your correct address.
The at-home test involves providing a small poo sample to be checked for tiny amounts of blood, which could be caused by cancer.
If you’re 75 or over, you can ask for a kit every two years by phoning the free bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 60 60.
Source: NHS
