Cancer and palliative care

Being cancer aware

  • Being Cancer Aware

    Since the COVID-19 Pandemic, less and less patients have been contacting their GP with symptoms they think might be cancer, and as a result there has been a reduction in GPs referring patients on for possible cancer partly due to this. We at the Goodinge Group Practice strongly encourage you to make a telephone appointment with one of the GPs if you are worried you might have a symptom that may represent cancer. We are very much here to listen and to help you, and are keen to go through your concerns and discuss whether you need more tests.

    Below is a video message from some of North London’s lead GPs for Cancer Care about Being Cancer Aware: https://youtu.be/23B8aASyZ3A

    For more information and a helpful diagram about different parts of the body where people get cancer and corresponding symptoms to look out for, please click on the link below: www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-symptoms

  • Symptoms of Bowel Cancer

    The commonest symptoms of Bowel Cancer are:
    1) Change in your bowel habits – looser, runnier stools (poo) that can’t be explained by something else (like a stomach bug)
    2) Bleeding from the bottom or blood in the stool
    3) Unexplained persistent abdominal pains

    Here is a link to information about other potential symptoms you should be aware:  www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/about-bowel-cancer/symptoms

    It is important to keep in mind that there are many potential reasons for these symptoms that aren’t cancer, however if you do notice them then please speak with one of our GPs to discuss it further.

  • Being Breast Aware

    Breasts, like any other part of your body, are unique to each individual. It is therefore very important for woman to be familiar with their breasts and what is “normal” for them. You can do this by examining yourself regularly, which will make it easier to spot any changes to seek help for.

    Here is a link about being breast aware: www.cancerresearchuk.org/finding-breast-cancer-early

  • Know your Testicles

    Testicular cancer is rarer than the other cancers above, but it is commoner amongst men in their 20s and 30s.

    This is why it is important men learn how to check their testicles early on and do so often. Speak to a GP as soon as possible if you notice any changes you are worried about.
    The link below describes how to examine your testicles and what to check for:  www.cancerresearchuk.org/testicular-cancer/getting-diagnosed

  • Prostate Cancer

    Prostate Cancer is the commonest Cancer amongst men in the UK. The symptoms can be subtle, or sometimes not apparent at all, and as such it is important we all are vigilant to what prostate cancer is, what to look out for and who may be at higher risk. Please see the video below for further information about Prostate health: www.youtu.be/s2OATIXezCQ

    Although it is common for men have changes in the urinary function as they get older, below is a list of symptoms that should prompt you to speak to a GP about potential causes, including prostate cancer:
    – Passing urine more frequently
    – Waking in the night to pass urine
    – A feeling of significant urgency when needing to pass urine
    – Changes in your stream, for example an interrupted flow, straining to encourage flow, or still needing to pass more urine even after you thought you’d finished
    – Blood in urine or in the semen

    Unfortunately, some people are at a higher risk than others of developing prostate cancer, depending on their underlying “risk factors”. If you are at higher risk you may wish to make an appointment with the GP to discuss this, even if you don’t have symptoms. The link below takes you to a quick screening tool, which can advise you about your personal risk level, and provide further information and advice based on this.

    Check your risk in 30 seconds – www.prostatecanceruk.org/risk-checker

    The Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test is a blood test used in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer, amongst other tests. On its own it NOT a “Prostate cancer test”, as it can be positive in conditions that are not prostate cancer, and can be falsely negative in about 15% of cancers. It is, however, something your GP may request when investigating for prostate related conditions. Before you agree to a PSA test, it is important to know about it, what the results would mean and what other tests we night ask you to do. You can find this information at the link below:
    Prostate cancer – PSA testing – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

    The link below provides comprehensive written information about prostate cancer, including risk factors, treatment and the process of referral is this is necessary:
    www.cancerresearchuk.org/prostate-cancer

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