The rare cancer that affects three major areas of body – key signs to watch out for as 235 people diagnosed each year

The Irish Sun

14 hours ago

The HSE is reminding Irish people of the symptoms you may spot that could be a sign of a rare cancer during its awareness month.
July is Sarcoma Awareness Month - and the
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A sarcoma is a rare cancerous tumour
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
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July is sarcoma awareness month
Credit: X
Every year in Ireland, around 235 people are diagnosed with some type of sarcoma.
A sarcoma is a rare
In a post on
"About 235 people are diagnosed each year in Ireland with some type of sarcoma."
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Spotting cancer early means that it is less likely to have grown bigger or spread, and may mean that it is easier to treat.
To help the chances of detecting it early, you should know the signs and symptoms and be aware of changes to your body that are new or you cannot explain.
You should then contact your
If your GP thinks it may be cancer, they will refer you to a specialist for more tests.
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There are a range of signs and symptoms to keep an eye out for, including:
a new lump or bump
a lump or bump that changes in size or look
bleeding that you cannot explain - from anywhere in your body
bruising you do not know the cause of
pain that will not go away and has no clear cause
pooing more often than usual or constipation
blood in your pee or peeing more often than usual
changes on your skin - a new or changing mole
difficulty chewing, swallowing or moving your tongue
losing weight without trying or that you cannot explain
feeling tired all the time - more than is normal for you
a new, persistent cough or a change to your usual cough
shortness of breath - more than is normal for you
night sweats you cannot explain
The seven major symptoms of 'aggressive' rare cancer you might notice when using bathroom as HSE say 'know the signs'
But it's important to remember that these are the common symptoms, and having them does not mean you have cancer as they can be caused by other
If you have symptoms, you should contact your GP and not wait for your next cancer screening appointment.
You should regularly check your body for any new lumps or changes - especially in the breasts, underarms, groin or testicles.
You should contact your GP if you notice:
a lump that is new
a lump that is changing in size or appearance
a lump in your breast or under your arm
a testicle that feels different or has changed size
a new cough that lasts for more than 3 weeks
a cough that has changed or is different to your usual cough
chest or shoulder pain that does not go away
shortness of breath more than is normal for you
blood when you cough
have chest infections that keep coming back
have blood in your poo
have diarrhoea or constipation for no obvious reason.
Feel you still need to poo after pooing
have a pain in your stomach or bottom
feel your tummy is bloated all the time
have tummy discomfort
have no appetite or you are full very quickly after eating
Your poo is loose, pale or looks greasy
have blood in your pee
need to pee more often
feel that you cannot fully empty your bladder
strain or feel that it is difficult to pee
often get up in the middle of the night to pee
have a weaker flow of pee
You may also see changes in your skin, including on moles, freckles or on a patch of skin.
CHANGES IN SKIN
Contact your GP if you have a mole that:
has an uneven or crooked shape
is changing shape or appearance
has an uneven border with jagged edges
is changing colour or has more than 1 colour - it may have brown, black, red, pink or white flecks or patches
is bigger than 6mm wide, or is getting bigger
is itchy, crusting, bleeding or sore
A change in a mole could be a sign of a type of skin-cancer called melanoma, while a lump, unusual patch or crusted area of skin that has not healed is usually the first sign of non-melanoma
Contact your GP if you have any unexplained bleeding, such as:
blood in your pee or poo
bleeding from your bottom
blood when you cough
blood in your vomit
vaginal bleeding between periods or after sex
vaginal bleeding when you are postmenopausal (at least 1 year after your last period)
bruising you do not know the cause of
You should contact your GP if you have lost weight and either do not know the cause, or did not lose it through dieting or
You should also contact your GP if you have bloating that does not go away, or you experience indigestion, heartburn or acid reflux.
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Other signs include pain anywhere in your stomach or back, itchy or yellow skin or whites of eyes, or feeling tired and unwell but you're not sure why.
you are age 50 and over - but it can happen at any age
genetic tests show you have inherited specific genes, for example, BRCA or Lynch syndrome
one or more of your close relatives have had cancer (such as parent, brother, sister or child)