We’ve all ignored minor pain – and most of the time, it’s nothing to worry about. But sometimes these common symptoms can be a sign of a more serious health problem, so it’s helpful to know which ones may be cause for concern.

In his first television interview, Mr Chris Hoy explained that his prostate cancer diagnosis was “the biggest shock of (his) life” as he had only felt pain in his shoulder and ribs before going to his GP. The Olympic gold medalist said he experienced “no symptoms” and “no warnings”.

“I assumed it would be tendinitis or something, and it would just be a matter of stopping lifting weights or cycling for a little while and getting treatment and everything would be fine,” he said. he declared.

Dr Rosie Khan says it’s important to be alert to any changes in your health or body. “Our bodies often signal that something is wrong and some symptoms are clear red flags that should not be ignored,” she told Yahoo UK. “Ignoring these symptoms can lead to delayed diagnoses, which can limit treatment options. Getting checked out early is crucial for conditions that are more manageable with early intervention.”

Here, three practicing GPs describe nine common symptoms you should never ignore.

Persistent pain

Persistent pain can be a sign of something serious, especially if it lasts for weeks or months without a clear cause. “This includes pain in the back, abdomen or other areas,” explains Dr Deepali Misra-Sharp GP Partner at Lordswood House Medical Group. “Persistent pain may indicate a disease such as cancer. For example, back pain may be associated with bone cancer, pancreatic cancer, or metastatic cancer from a different primary source.”

chest tightness

Many of us are aware of the risks of chest pain, but chest tightness could also be a vital sign of a heart attack or underlying cardiovascular problems.

“If you feel chest tightness, or a feeling of tightness or heavy load on your chest, it is important not to delay and call 999 immediately,” says Dr Leke Asong of Gut Health Doctor.

Dr. Khan adds that chest pain could also be a sign of angina, acid reflux, or even a blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism). “Seek immediate attention if the pain is severe, lasts more than a few minutes, or is accompanied by symptoms like sweating, nausea, or shortness of breath,” she emphasizes.

Sudden personality change

If there is a drastic change in your personality, or if you notice a change in the behavior and tone of someone you love, it could be a sign of a brain tumor, especially if seizures occur. However, stress, anxiety and depression can also cause personality changes, says Dr. Asong.

Change in bowel or bladder habits

Any change in the frequency, color or urgency of your bowel habits, or if you find blood in your urine or stool, should be investigated immediately. “If you suddenly experience back pain and are unable to control your bowels or urine, it is important to call 999 immediately,” advises Dr Asong.

It could also indicate gastrointestinal issues, irritable bowel symptoms, as well as colorectal cancer or bladder cancer. Dr. Misra-Sharp adds: “Persistent changes in bowel habits (such as persistent diarrhea or constipation), blood in the stools, or changes in urinary habits, such as increased frequency or blood in the urine, should be evaluated quickly. The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines recommend urgent referral of patients with alarming bowel symptoms to rule out malignancies.

Unexplained weight loss

Weight loss when it is regular and expected is nothing to worry about, but if there is a sudden and drastic drop in weight over a short period of time, it is important to go to your GP. Dr. Khan calls this an “important red flag” because it can be a “symptom of certain cancers (gastrointestinal, lung, or pancreatic), hormonal disorders (e.g., overactive thyroid), d ‘infections (such as tuberculosis) or gastrointestinal problems’.

Dr. Misra-Sharp points out that this is a worrying sign, especially if you lose “more than 5% of your weight without trying to diet or exercise.” She adds that NHS studies have revealed the need for further investigation when individuals experience unexplained weight loss.

Unexplained lumps or swellings

If you have a new lump or notice unexpected swelling, it could be a sign of an infection or something more sinister, like various forms of cancer like breast and testicles. Dr. Misra-Sharp says that “any new lump or swelling in the breast, testicles, lymph nodes, or elsewhere that persists for more than two weeks should be evaluated.”

The NHS states that most bumps are not cancerous, but should be seen by a GP if they do not go away after two weeks.

Changes to a skin lesion or mole

“Changes in a mole or skin lesion, such as changes in size, color or shape, may be an early sign of skin cancer, including melanoma, which is highly treatable s “It’s detected early,” says Dr Khan.

Skin cancer can present as a mole, Dr. Khan adds, “that appears asymmetrical, has irregular edges, multiple colors, or an increase in size.”

“Use the ABCDE (Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter, Evolution) rule to evaluate moles. Any new or changing lesions should be examined promptly by a healthcare professional.”

Headaches

Many of us suffer from headaches in a busy modern world where we spend too much time on our screens. It can also be due to stress, dehydration, fatigue, or vision deterioration. But it’s important to get regular or extremely painful headaches checked out by your GP.

“A headache in the back of the head, comparable to being hit with a baseball bat, could mean a brain hemorrhage, also known as a hemorrhagic stroke,” adds Dr. Asong.

Persistent cough or difficulty breathing

Colds and chest infections are incredibly common in winter, but watch how long your cough lasts.

“A cough that lasts more than three weeks, especially if it produces blood or is accompanied by difficulty breathing that worsens over time, may be a symptom of lung cancer or other serious breathing problems, and requires attention. urgent assessment”, Dr Misra-Sharp. said.

Learn more about Chris Hoy and cancer: