Eight symptoms that predict cancer identified
By Amit Katwala, 31 August 2010
Eight symptoms predictive of cancer in more than 5% of cases have been identified.
Breast lumps in women over 20 is a predictive measurement of cancer (Photograph: SPL)
Rectal bleeding in men and women over 75, a change in bowel habit in men over 60, and iron deficiency anaemia in various groups were identified as predictive of gastrointestinal cancer in at least 5% of cases.
Macroscopic haematuria in men and women over 60 was predictive of urological cancer, and a malignant-feeling prostate on rectal examination in men over 40 was predictive of prostate cancer.
Haemoptysis in men over 55 and women over 65 and dysphagia in men over 55 were predictive of lung and oesophageal cancer respectively.
Breast lumps in women over 20 were predictive of breast cancer, and postmenopausal bleeding was predictive of gynaecological cancer in women aged 75 to 84.
The research, to be published in the British Journal of General Practice, was a meta-analysis of 12 existing studies.
Further Reading
Additional Information
Latest jobs Jobs web feed
- Full time GP partner - Isle of Man Laxey and Village Walk Health Centres Competitive, Isle of Man
- Salaried GP Dr K.T. Tattum FRCGP Competitive, Stockton Brook, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire
- General Practitioner x 2 for MOD, RAF Leuchars, Fife MMP Competitive hourly rates offered, East Coast of Scotland
- General Practitioner for Gamecock Barracks, Nuneaton MMP Competitive hourly rates, West Midlands
- GP for MOD, RAF Waddington, Lincs MMP Competitive hourly rates offered, Lincoln
- Locum GP for central east London Surgey HealthCare&Locum Recruitment Ltd Negotiable, Central london
Most read
- NHS reforms: Interactive Health Bill timeline
- Exclusive: 'Stop the mudslinging on pensions' says BMA chairman
- Royal colleges step up Health Bill opposition
- Male GPs more likely to experience burnout than female colleagues
- GPC warns of 'target culture' as GP commissioning framework revealed
- Vaccinate teenagers against meningitis, say DH advisers
Most commented
MIMS Drug Search
Possible searches include drugs (by brand, generic ingredient or drug class), diseases and more.
