Nail Abnormalities

Fingernail or toenail abnormalities can tell you a lot about your health. They are often a sign of a fungal nail infection or injury, but can sometimes indicate a more serious underlying condition. You must see your doctor/ GP if your nails have changed in colour, texture, shape or thickness and you don't know why (for example, you haven't injured your nails or been biting them).

Below are the most likely reasons for the following nail problems:

• brittle or crumbly nails 
• discoloured nails 
• white nails 
• thickened, overgrown nails 
• loose nails 
• indented spoon-shaped nails 
• pitting or dents on the nails 
• grooves going across the width of the nails 
• unusually curved fingertips and nails 
• white lines running across the nails 
• dark stripes running down the nail 
• red or brown little streaks under the nails 
• a destroyed nail 
• infected nail fold (painful, red and swollen skin next to the nail).

Symptoms of bone cancer

Last Updated: 11 December 2018

Bone pain is the most common symptom of bone cancer. Some people experience other symptoms as well.

Bone pain

Pain caused by bone cancer usually begins with a feeling of tenderness in the affected bone. This gradually progresses to a persistent ache or ache that comes and goes, which continues at night and when resting.

Any bone can be affected, although bone cancer most often develops in the long bones of the legs or upper arms.

The pain can sometimes be wrongly mistaken for arthritis in adults and growing pains in children and teenagers.

Symptoms of Lung Cancer

Symptoms of lung cancer 

Symptoms of lung cancer develop as the condition progresses and there are usually no signs or symptoms in the early stages. The main symptoms of lung cancer are listed below. If you have any of these, you should see your doctor/ GP:

• a cough that doesn’t go away after two or three weeks
• a long-standing cough that gets worse
• persistent chest infections
• coughing up blood
• an ache or pain when breathing or coughing
• persistent breathlessness
• persistent tiredness or lack of energy
• loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss.

Symptoms of Cervical Cancer

Symptoms of Cervical Cancer 

The symptoms of cervical cancer are not always obvious, and it may not cause any symptoms at all until it has reached an advanced stage. This is why it is very important that you attend all of your cervical screening appointments.

Unusual bleeding

In most cases, vaginal bleeding is the first noticeable symptom of cervical cancer. It usually occurs after having sex. Bleeding at any other time, other than your expected monthly period, is also considered unusual. This includes bleeding after the menopause (when a woman's monthly periods stop). You must visit your doctor/ GP for advice if you experience any type of unusual vaginal bleeding.