There are many different types of cancer. For information on a specific cancer, see the box to the left.

What is cancer?

Cancer is a group of conditions where the body's cells begin to grow and reproduce in an uncontrollable way. These cells can then invade and destroy healthy tissue, including organs.

Cancer sometimes begins in one part of the body before spreading to other parts. This process is known as metastasis.

Spotting signs of cancer

Some changes to your body can be a sign of cancer and it is important to get them checked out by a doctor. Go to Signs and symptoms of cancer for information on spotting cancer.

Types of cancer

You can find more information about specific types of cancer by following the links in the box to the left.

Reduce your risk of cancer

Making some simple changes to your lifestyle can significantly reduce your risk of developing cancer. Eating a healthy diet, taking regular exercise and avoiding smoking will all help to lower your risk.

To learn how a healthy lifestyle can reduce your chances of getting cancer, go to our cancer prevention pages.

How common is cancer?

Cancer is a common condition. Around 298,000 new cases of cancer are diagnosed each year in the UK. More than one in three people will develop some form of cancer during their lifetime.

The most common cancers in the UK are:

• breast cancer 
• prostate cancer 
• lung cancer 
• bowel cancer 
• bladder cancer 
• uterine (womb) cancer 

Cancer treatment

Treatments for cancer include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Waiting times

Currently, all patients referred with suspected cancer by their GP have a maximum two-weeks wait to see a specialist.

Cancer patients should wait no more than 31 days from decision to treat to the start of their first treatment.

Find cancer services

Find local cancer support services

Find NHS cancer services

It is important to be aware of any unexplained changes to your body. Typical signs and symptoms of cancer are listed below.

While many of these symptoms are common of other illnesses and usually nothing to worry about, it is important that your GP checks them out to rule out cancer.

Signs and symptoms of cancer

Lump

See your GP if you notice a lump anywhere in your body. Your GP will refer you to a specialist for tests if they suspect it is cancer.

Coughing, breathlessness and hoarseness

See your GP if you have had a cough or felt breathless for more than two weeks, or if you have blood in your phlegm when you cough.

Changes in bowel habits

See your GP if you have experienced one of the below changes and this has lasted for more than a few weeks:

• blood in your stools
• diarrhoea or constipation for no obvious reason
• a feeling of not having emptied your bowel properly after going to the toilet
• pain in your abdomen (tummy) or back passage

Bleeding

See your GP if you have any unexplained bleeding, such as:

• blood in your urine
• bleeding between periods
• blood from your back passage
• blood when you cough
• blood in your vomit

Moles

See your GP if you have a mole that:

• has an irregular or asymmetrical shape
• has an irregular border with jagged edges
• has more than one colour (it may be flecked with brown, black, red, pink or white)
• is bigger then 7mm in diameter
• is itchy, crusting or bleeding

Any of the above changes means there is a chance you have malignant melanoma

Unexplained weight loss

See your GP if you have lost a lot of weight over the last couple of months that cannot be explained by changes in your diet, exercise or stress.

More information

Macmillan: signs and symptoms of cancer

Cancer Research UK: cancer signs and symptoms

NICE guidelines: referral for suspected cancer