Know your body

Compared to the rest of Europe, people in the UK tend to have a more advanced stage of breast and bowel cancer by the time they are treated. There are a number of possible explanations for this (such as waiting times for hospital appointments) but one factor may be our national characteristic of being a bit reticent.

Health problems can be very intimidating and cancer is possibly the biggest taboo of all, but the fact is the earlier you are treated the better your chance of making a full recovery. Try not to put changes down to 'just my age' or worse, to ignore them completely.

You are never too old to be treated for any condition and that includes treatment for cancer.

See a doctor if you notice:

• a lump, or a sore which does not heal, including in the mouth
• a mole which changes in shape, size or colour
• any abnormal bleeding
• a persistant cough or hoarseness
• changes in your toilet routine
• any unexplained weight loss

Speaking up and asking for clear information or a second opinion could be a very important first step to staying healthy.

Help the Aged has found that older people can be discriminated against in many different ways, including their access to health services. Age discrimination is rife in the UK but often goes unnoticed and unchallenged, even though it is just as wrong as racism and sexism.

The Government's programme for the delivery of cancer services - NHS Cancer Plan - explains on its website:

'There are also inequalities in the treatment patients receive depending on their age. Not all patients are suitable for all treatments and it can be dangerous to give some very frail patients aggressive treatment with harmful side effects. But frailty and age are not the same thing and some 70 year olds are healthier than some 50 year olds. As within any other disease treated by the health service, ageism is unacceptable in NHS cancer services.'

If you think you are being discriminated against because of your age please email the Campaigns team with your experiences.

Further information for older people living with cancer can be found on the Cancerbackup website