Some cancer symptoms simply shouldn't be ignored, but new research found that half of UK adults put off contacting their GP within six months.
Recognising the red flag signs is hugely important for early diagnosis and a better chance of survival. Even so, people who experienced symptoms like unexplained weight loss or a new or unusual lump failed to get in touch with a GP within half a year, according to the YouGov poll for Cancer Research UK.
"You might think of red flag symptoms like coughing up blood or unexplained bleeding as hard to ignore, but this research shows that many do," says Dr Julie Sharp, the charity's head of health and patient involvement.
