How to detect cancer in its ‘silent phase’, according to a doctor

CANCER does not always announce itself through obvious symptoms and clear signs.

In fact, many people only receive a diagnosis during routine medical examinations or investigations for other health issues.

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This is because many forms of the disease lurk silently in the early stages.

But detecting cancer during this ‘silent phase’ can be key in ensuring a better chance of survival, explained Professor Justin Stebbing, a biomedical sciences expert from Anglia Ruskin University.

“While even silent cancers can sometimes be aggressive and advance rapidly, they can also remain dormant for years or even decades,” he wrote in the .

“Some prostate, breast and thyroid cancers, for example, often evolve slowly without obvious symptoms or spreading beyond the original area.

“Fortunately, in many countries including the UK, we have  tests for diseases like breast or colon cancer, to increase early diagnoses.”

Screening tools are a blessing for finding cancer earlier than waiting for symptoms.

“Identifying cancer at an early stage means the disease is confined to its site of origin, smaller and potentially easier to cure,” Prof Stebbing said.

“Diagnosing a smaller cancer often means that if an operation is needed, it may be a less invasive surgery.

“There may also be a lower chance of needing post-operative preventative chemotherapy, to mop up any residual cells.”

The tests you need to know about

There are three free NHS cancer screening programmes that can help to catch certain forms of disease earlier.

They are made available to people at different ages, when the disease is more likely to emerge.

So, which cancer tests should you be having – and asking for?

For cervical cancer

Cervical screening is offered to all women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 to check the health of cells in the cervix, the opening between the vagina and womb.

It is offered every three years for those aged 25 to 49, and every five years from the ages of 50 to 64.

As part of the screening, the cervix is tested for human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes nearly all cervical cancers. 

HPV is a very common virus which effects around eight in ten people.

Approximately 3,200 people are diagnosed with cervical cancer in the UK and about 850 people succumb to the disease every year.

Symptoms

• Bleeding between periods, after sex or after the menopause
• Pain during sex or in your pelvic area

For breast cancer

About one in seven women in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime.

If it’s detected early, treatment is more successful and there’s a good chance of recovery.

Breast screening uses an X-ray test called a mammogram that can spot cancers when they’re too small to see or feel.

They are offered to women aged 50 to 70 to detect early signs of breast cancer.

Women over 70 can also self-refer.

Symptoms: 

• A lump (although 90 per cent of breast lumps aren’t cancer)
• Thickening in the breast tissue
• A change in breast size or shape
• Bloody discharge from the nipple
• Puckering
• Dimpling
• A rash on the skin around the breast
• Nipple changes
• A lump or swelling in your armpit

For bowel cancer

Bowel cancer is the UK’s second deadliest cancer, claiming 16,500 lives each year.

But survival rates are improving, having more than doubled in the last 40 years in the UK.

If diagnosed early, more than 90 per cent of bowel cancer cases can be treated successfully, according to Cancer Research UK.

Everyone aged 60 to 74 is offered a bowel cancer screening home test kit every two years, thanks to The Sun’s No Time 2 Lose campaign, spearheaded by the late Dame Deborah James.

Everyone aged 60 to 74 years who is registered with a GP and lives in England is automatically sent an NHS bowel cancer screening kit every two years.

Symptoms: 

• Bleeding from your bottom
• Oersistent change in bowel habits
• Unexplained weight loss
• Tiredness
• A pain or lump in your stomach

Other tests

There is currently no nationwide screening because there isn’t a reliable prostate cancer test yet.

But of you are worried about your risk of prostate cancer, you can take .

There is also no national lung cancer screening programme. 

However, since Autumn 2019 the NHS has offered a new service called Lung Health Checks in some areas of England.

If you live in an area where they are taking place, you will receive an invitation if all of the following apply to you:

• Are over 55 but younger than 75 years old (60 to 74 in Wales)
• Are registered with a GP (selected GP surgeries in the Rhondda area in Wales)
• Have ever smoked

Other symptoms to know

Although some cancers don’t show any symptoms for some time, other symptoms which do emerge can be vague and easily mistaken for benign issues.

“Fatigue, unexplained weight loss and persistent pain are among the nonspecific symptoms that may signal an underlying malignancy,” Professor Justin said.

“But such symptoms can be misinterpreted or easily dismissed, which contributes to delayed diagnosis and treatment.”

It’s important to be aware of what is normal for you and speak to your doctor if you notice any unusual changes or something that won’t go away.