10 chronic red flag symptoms
Definition. Chronic symptoms = a slower onset of symptoms that occurs over a few weeks, and you feel may be serious. Below are some examples of chronic red flag symptoms, and what they could indicate:
- Blood in urine (wee) – bladder or kidney cancer
- Blood in faeces (poo) – bowel cancer
- Vaginal bleeding in a woman whose periods have stopped – uterine (womb) or cervical cancer
- New severe back pain or inability to walk, loss of control of bowels or bladder – spinal cord compression
Note. This is really a subacute problem, as it may need surgery soon (today/tomorrow) - Blood in sputum (spit) – lung cancer.
Other chronic red flag symptoms
- Swollen ankles or shortness of breath – heart or kidney failure
- Unexplained weight loss, abdominal or bone pain – cancer
- A lump in your breast, or change in the nipple – breast cancer
- Unexplained or changing lump(s) or mole anywhere in body – skin cancer
- Unexplained deteriorating health or function – with failure to respond to treatment.
What should I do if I have any of these chronic red flag symptoms?
If you have any of these, please see your NHS GP soon (ideally the next two-to-three days) and ask to be seen face-to-face and examined. You may need to ask for a ‘double appointment‘ (20 mins).
Note. Possible spinal cord compression needs to be seen by your GP today. If this is not possible, go to A&E.
If the doctor agrees that it is a red flag symptom, and suspects that it could be cancer, you should be referred to a local hospital via the two week cancer wait (2WW) system (in England; this is becoming a four week cancer target). You should then see a consultant within two weeks of referral. They may send you for tests before the appointment.
If the problem is not thought to be due to cancer, but is still serious (e.g. heart or kidney failure), the GP should ring a specialist at the local hospital, and arrange for you to be seen very soon (less than two weeks). They may have a ‘hot clinic’ where you can be seen soon.
Summary
We have described 10 chronic red flag symptoms. We hope it has been helpful.
