Five most common signs of cancer in young people 'it’s really important to get checked out'

The Teenage Cancer Trust has detailed the five most common symptoms of cancer to look out for in young people .

In a new video shared to their TikTok page the Trust - which works to offer care and support for young people with cancer - share some of the most common signs and symptoms young people should look out for. The video also highlights t he importance of visiting your GP if you feel something is wrong.

The video is captioned: "Do you know the five most common signs of cancer in young people. There are lots of different signs and symptoms of cancer, these are just some of the most common signs of cancer in young people aged 13 – 24.

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"Having any of these doesn’t necessarily mean you have cancer, but it’s really important to get checked out if you have any of these symptoms – especially if they last for a while and you can’t explain them."

In the clip itself they then elaborate further as they explain: "Do you know the five most common signs of cancer in young people? Number one is lumps and swellings. These can be anywhere on your body.

"Number two is unexplained tiredness. This where you're feeling really tired all of the time. a good night's sleep is not helping. If it persists, you should go to your GP. Number three is unexplained weight change. This can be gaining weight or losing weight, especially if you've not trying to change your lifestyle.

"Number four is persistent pain. If you've noticed you've got a pain that is constant, it doesn't go away when you take painkillers, go and see a GP.

"And number five is mole changes. So this is a change in size, colour, texture, shape or if it starts bleeding, you know your body is better than anybody else. This doesn't mean you have cancer, but it may be best to get it checked out."

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The Teenage Cancer Trust website features a further breakdown of the symptoms to help patients decide when to see their GP and what they should tell them. Below is the breakdown of each symptom:

Lumps and swelling

• These lumps and swellings can be anywhere on your body
• You know your body better than anyone else, so if you notice changes that are worrying you, you should get them checked out
• Lumps and swellings don’t mean you definitely have cancer, but if you notice anything unusual, make an appointment with your GP

Unexplained tiredness

• If you’re noticing that you’re feeling very tired all the time, you should see your GP
• It’s important to give the GP as much information as possible during your appointment

Unexplained weight change

• This can be weight gain or weight loss, when you haven’t changed your lifestyle
• You know your body better than anyone else, so if you notice changes that are worrying you, you should get them checked out
• A change in your weight doesn’t mean you definitely have cancer, but if you notice anything unusual, make an appointment with your GP

Persistent pain

• If you’ve noticed severe or constant pain anywhere in your body, you need to speak to your GP
• This is the kind of pain that doesn’t go away when you take pain relief
• You know your body better than anyone else, so if you notice changes that are worrying you, you should get them checked out
• Persistent pain doesn’t mean you definitely have cancer, but if you notice anything unusual, make an appointment with your GP

Mole changes

• This could be a change in the size, shape, colour or texture of a mole, or if it starts bleeding
• Mole changes can be a sign of melanoma (the most common type of skin cancer in young people)
• You know your body better than anyone else, so if you notice changes that are worrying you, you should get them checked out
• Mole changes don’t mean you definitely have cancer, but if you notice anything unusual, make an appointment with your GP