If you have tummy troubles such as discomfort or diarrhoea for three weeks or more, or seen blood in your pee – even just once, contact your GP practice. That is the message from the NHS this January as they launch their latest ‘Help Us Help You’ cancer campaign.

Persistent tummy troubles, which also includes things like being bloated most days, feeling sick or constipation, can be a sign of a number of cancers, including bowel, ovarian or pancreatic cancer, and blood in pee – even just once, can be a sign of urological cancers, including bladder or kidney cancer.

You should also contact your GP practice if you notice any other unusual changes such as a lump in the tummy area, post-menopausal bleeding, abnormal vaginal bleeding, or unexplained weight loss, as these can also be signs of cancer.

While it’s probably nothing serious, any of these symptoms could be a sign of something that needs treatment. If it is cancer, finding it early makes it more treatable and can save lives.

If your symptoms continue, change, or get worse, it’s important to go back to your GP practice.

For more information on cancer signs and symptoms, visit www.cancermatterswessex.nhs.uk/know-the-signs