Health leaders in Herefordshire and Worcestershire have encouraged people to seek immediate medical advice if they experience symptoms such as tummy troubles or blood in their urine.
They said that persistent tummy troubles, including discomfort, diarrhoea, bloating, nausea, or constipation, could be signs of various cancers, including bowel, ovarian, or pancreatic cancer.
Blood in the urine, even if it occurs just once, could be a sign of urological cancers, including bladder or kidney cancer.
People should also contact their GP if they notice any other unusual changes, such as a lump in the tummy area, post-menopausal bleeding, abnormal vaginal bleeding, or unexplained weight loss, as these can also be signs of cancer.
Dr Will Taylor, medical director for NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire, said: “If you notice any changes that are not normal for you, or something that won’t go away, don’t ignore it, speak to your doctor.
“It’s probably nothing serious, but your GP practice is there for advice.
“If it is cancer or another serious problem, finding it earlier makes it more treatable.”
The NHS said that while it is probably nothing serious, any of these symptoms could be a sign of something that needs treatment.
If it is cancer, finding it early makes it more treatable and can save lives.
If symptoms continue, change, or worsen, it is important to go back to the GP practice.
When contacting the practice, people may initially receive a telephone call to discuss the problem with a clinician.
They will then arrange a face-to-face appointment or further tests if required.
If necessary, they may refer the patient to a hospital.