New research: Majority 13-24-year-olds don’t know the five main warning signs of cancer

Ahead of World Cancer Day new research* from Teenage Cancer Trust shows that just 17% of 13-24-year-olds know all five of the main warning signs of cancer in young people. 

The charity is now urging people to familiarise themselves with the signs to help raise awareness of cancer in teenagers and young adults. 

The most common warning signs are: lumps bumps and swellings, changes to a mole, unexplained tiredness, significant weight change, or persistent pain. 

The research shows that for people aged 13-24: 

• More than half (55%) did not recognise that changes to a mole was a warning sign 
   
• 57% did not recognise that significant weight change could signal a warning   
   
• 65% were unaware that unexplained tiredness could be a symptom  
   
• 62% did not recognise that persistent pain could be a sign.  

However, 89% of 13-24-year-olds could name at least one or more of the symptoms and 66% of knew that lumps bumps and swellings could be a sign of cancer. This symptom was the most recognised out of everyone surveyed. 

Dr Louise Soanes, Chief Nurse at Teenage Cancer Trust, said: “These symptoms don’t necessarily mean that you have cancer, but it is really important to get checked out if you notice these changes in your body – especially if they last for a while and you can’t explain them.” 

Less than half of young people would speak to a doctor if they were experiencing significant weight change or unexplained tiredness, according to study. 

The research also found that less than half (47%) of 13–24-year-olds would speak to a doctor if they had significant weight change. However, a third (32%) said that they would tell someone they trust, such as a parent, guardian, or a friend. 

Just 40% of 13- to 24-year-olds said they would speak to a doctor if they were experiencing unexplained tiredness, with 13% saying they would search this symptom on social media to see if anyone else was feeling the same. 

Just 18% of 13-24-year-olds admitted they would search online for answers if they had any lumps bumps or swellings. 

Teenage Cancer Trust is encouraging people to speak to a doctor or a nurse if they think something is wrong. 

Dr Soanes adds: “It’s normal to feel nervous before speaking to a doctor or a nurse - if you don’t feel that you can make the first step on your own, it can be a good idea to speak to someone you trust first. 

“There are things that you can do to help to prepare for a doctor’s appointment such as: writing down your questions beforehand, making a list of your symptoms and when you started to feel unwell, taking someone with you to the appointment, and being aware that you can ask doctors to explain something in a different way if you don’t understand, or even ask for another doctor to speak to you.” 

Ahead of World Cancer Day, Teenage Cancer Trust is sharing advice from young people supported by the charity, who didn’t initially recognise some of the common warning signs. 

Keeslee Lanfear, 22, from the Forest of Dean, was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma aged 21, after initially thinking his symptoms were down to his busy job as a wedding planner, looking after around 60 couples a year. He said:    

“I was shocked when I found out, I didn’t know any other young people who’d had cancer. 

“I’d been feeling unwell for about three months before I was diagnosed in May last year.

“I first noticed that I was losing weight for no real reason, then a few months later I noticed that my legs were itchy and I couldn’t tolerate alcohol as well. It was when I started having excruciating stomach pain that I went to see my doctor in March 2023. I made a list of my symptoms and she was amazing. 

Keeslee had many tests at the hospital before he was eventually diagnosed in the May as initially they couldn’t find out what was wrong but it was when he was seeing his doctor one day that he had a lump the size of a golf ball on his neck that they did a biopsy on it, which came back as lymphoma.

Keeslee, who was treated on a Teenage Cancer Trust unit at University Hospital of Wales, had four cycles of chemotherapy and finished this treatment in August 2023.

Keelsee said that when he was diagnosed he wanted to stay as positive as possible but when he was feeling down he’d pick himself back up again. 

“I started making TikTok videos about my experience and I got such a positive response that when I was feeling down, I’d make a video,” he said.  

“Interacting with people who commented on the videos gave me a boost and it helped me to keep going. I’ve made many friends online who have been through similar experiences.”   

“Having cancer has made me realise that life is too short and it’s given me the push to go to America for a month to visit a friend.”   

“Cancer has taught me that you can’t choose what life throws at you, but you can choose how you are going to deal with it.” 

Faaiza Bashir, 22, from Barking, was 18 when she was diagnosed with Primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma. She initially thought her shoulder pain was down to carrying too many schoolbooks. 

She said: “Before I could get my shoulder checked out, the pandemic started.” 

 
“I started losing a lot of weight, but I didn’t realise this was a symptom at first because I was taking part in Ramadan and fasting every day. I was also very fatigued, I started feeling breathless and I had a cough.” 

“I was given steroids and antibiotics, but it didn’t help. I spoke to doctors several times over the phone and it was only after mum separately contacted her own GP that I got an in-person appointment.”

“Eventually I was sent to A&E but because of the pandemic I had to go on my own. Doctors told me I had a mass in my chest, but I didn’t know that they meant cancer. The hospital called my parents so they could tell us together.” 

“When they told us that I most likely had lymphoma, we were all in shock. I was in a state of confusion – it was still unclear to me that lymphoma was a type of cancer, and I couldn’t believe that I had it.” 

“Within South Asian communities, cancer is taboo, so it’s not talked about and isn’t visible. I hope that being open and sharing that I’ve been through cancer can help with that, and it encourages people to seek support if they are worried about their health.” 

You can read more about five main signs & symptoms of cancer and get tips on how to make the best out of a doctor’s appointment by visiting www.teenagecancertrust.org/signs.