Causes and risk factors The causes of breast cancer aren't fully understood, making it difficult to say why one woman may develop breast cancer and another may not. However, there are risk factors that are known to affect your likelihood of deve
The first symptom of breast cancer most women notice is a lump or an area of thickened tissue in their breast. Most breast lumps (90%) aren't cancerous, but it's always best to have them checked by your doctor. You should see your doctor if you
About one in eight women in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. There's a good chance of recovery if it's detected in its early stages. Breast screening aims to find breast cancers early. It uses an X-ray test called a
Most breast lumps are caused by benign (non-cancerous) conditions, although occasionally a breast lump can be a symptom of breast cancer. It's important to see your GP as soon as possible if you notice a lump in your breast so they can refer you for
It is important to be aware of how your breasts usually look and feel so you can quickly pick up on any changes that may occur. See your doctor if you notice a lump in your breast or any change in its appearance, feel or shape. Your doctor may ask a
Breast lumps are common and have a number of different causes. Although most lumps aren't breast cancer, any unusual changes to the breasts should be checked by a doctor as soon as possible. If your doctor finds a lump on examination, they will r
How a breast lump is treated will largely depend on the underlying cause and any other symptoms you have. Benign breast lumps often do not need to be treated unless they are particularly large or painful, or are getting bigger. Some types of ben
Your GP can diagnose haemorrhoids (piles) by examining your back passage to check for swollen blood vessels. Some people with haemorrhoids are reluctant to see their GP. However, there’s no need to be embarrassed – all GPs are used to diagnos
Haemorrhoids, also known as piles, are swellings containing enlarged blood vessels that are found inside or around the bottom (the rectum and anus). In many cases, haemorrhoids don't cause symptoms, and some people don't even realise they have t
Haemorrhoids (piles) often clear up by themselves after a few days. However, there are many treatments that can reduce itching and discomfort. Making simple dietary changes and not straining on the toilet are often recommended first. Creams, oint
Surgery may be recommended if other treatments for haemorrhoids (piles) haven't worked, or if you have haemorrhoids that aren't suitable for non-surgical treatment. There are many different surgical procedures for piles. The main types of operation
Bowel cancer is a general term for cancer that begins in the large bowel. Depending on where the cancer starts, bowel cancer is sometimes called colon or rectal cancer. Cancer can sometimes start in the small bowel (small intestine), but small bow
Signs and Symptoms of Bowel Cancer The three main symptoms of bowel cancer are blood in the stools (faeces), a change in bowel habit, such as more frequent, looser stools, and Abdominal (tummy) Pain. However, these symptoms are very common. Blo
Cancer occurs when the cells in a certain area of your body divide and multiply too rapidly. This produces a lump of tissue known as a tumour. Most cases of bowel cancer first develop inside clumps of cells on the inner lining of the bowel. These cl
When you first see your doctor, they will ask about your symptoms and whether you have a family history of bowel cancer. They will then usually carry out a simple examination of your abdomen (tummy) and your bottom, known as a digital rectal examina
Surgery is usually the main treatment for bowel cancer, and may be combined with chemotherapy, radiotherapy or biological treatments, depending on your particular case. The treatments recommended for you will depend on which part of your bowel is a
There are some things that increase your risk of bowel cancer that you can't change, such as your family history or your age. However, there are several ways you can lower your chances of developing the condition. Diet Research suggests making
Bowel cancer can affect your daily life in different ways, depending on what stage it is at and what treatment you are having. How people cope with their diagnosis and treatment varies from person to person. There are several forms of support avail
Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK. If it's detected at an early stage, before symptoms appear, it's easier to treat and there's a better chance of surviving it. To detect cases of bowel cancer sooner, the NHS offers two types
Primary bone cancer is a rare type of cancer that begins in the bones. Around 550 new cases are diagnosed each year in the UK. This is a separate condition from secondary bone cancer, which is cancer that spreads to the bones after developing in a
Cancer occurs when the cells in a certain area of your body divide and multiply too rapidly. This produces a lump of tissue known as a tumour. The exact reason why this happens is often not known, but certain things can increase your chance of devel
Bone pain is the most common symptom of bone cancer. Some people experience other symptoms as well. Bone Pain Pain caused by bone cancer usually begins with a feeling of tenderness in the affected bone. This gradually progresses to a persistent ac
If you're experiencing bone pain, your doctor will ask about your symptoms and examine the affected area, before deciding whether you need to have any further tests. They will look for any swelling or lumps, and ask if you have problems moving the
Treatment for bone cancer depends on the type of bone cancer you have, how far it has spread and your general health. The main treatments are surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Your Treatment Plan Your treatment should be managed by a speciali
Symptoms of an allergic reaction usually develop within a few minutes of being exposed to something you're allergic to, although occasionally they can develop gradually over a few hours. Although allergic reactions can be a nuisance and hamper