Many people put their lives in jeopardy by ignoring early warning signs of cancer, a new survey finds.
The Cancer Research UK study found that more than half of cancer patients had at first ignored symptoms dubbed "alarm" warning signs and did not see their doctor about them.
These include a persistent cough or hoarseness, a unexplained lump, a sudden change in bowel of bladder habits, and a sore that doesn’t heal.
"Many of the people we interviewed had red flag symptoms but felt that these were trivial and didn't need medical attention, particularly if they were painless or intermittent,” said Dr Katriina Whitaker, a senior research fellow at University College London.
At the other end of spectrum, some people didn't seek treatment for the symptoms out of fear they would be diagnosed with cancer.
The researchers said the study’s results underscore the need for people to be diligent and report their symptoms as early as possible.
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