A survey by the NHS found that people check their bank account more often than they check their bodies for signs of cancer.
Only four out of 10 people (39%) checked their bodies for any changes at least every three weeks, despite the fact that this is vital to spotting possible signs of disease.
The poll found that people are more likely to regularly check their bank account (80%), the weather forecast (70%), sports results (42%), and upcoming entertainment, such as TV shows (41%), rather than check for changes to their bodies.
The NHS recommends that people check their bodies regularly for new lumps and changes to identify possible cancer symptoms.
The findings have prompted Professor Peter Johnson to remind people of the importance of checking their bodies regularly.
He said, “It’s important to know your body’s normal state. However, we find other things to do than check for changes.”
“That’s the reason I encourage everyone to incorporate it into their routine. Finding a method that works for you could save your life.
If you notice anything worrying, contact your GP, so they can look into it for you. “It’s unlikely that it is cancer, but the sooner you find out if something is wrong, the more likely the treatment will be successful,” Dr Johnson said.
Data also showed that 78% of the population are not confident in their ability to recognize a change on their body, even though they said they were.
Eight out of ten people (79%) did not recognize heartburn lasting three weeks or longer as a possible sign of cancer.
Nearly half of people (49%) do not recognize unexplained loss of weight, and four out of ten (42%) don’t recognise an unexplained bump anywhere on their body as a possible sign for cancer.
NHS data also highlights the importance of early diagnosis and detection in order to recover and, ideally return to work.
Nearly three-quarters of cancer patients, including breast, prostate, and lung cancers are diagnosed in the early stages of cancer. This is when the cancer is more easily treated and the chances of survival are higher.
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