Accessible signs and symptoms animations for people living with cancer

In the UK, around 360,000 people are diagnosed with cancer every year. For most cancers, treatment is more likely to be effective if the cancer is found early.

We know there are over 200 different types of cancer, but we do not know all the causes. Knowing the signs and symptoms of cancer can help people to get diagnosed as soon as possible.

Being diagnosed with cancer can be daunting, so as well as providing support Macmillan also develop cancer information in a range of formats. We are always looking to create cancer information in new and innovative ways to increase our accessibility.

The Cancer Information Development team have created this animation about the signs and symptoms of cancer. In this animation, you can learn about some of the signs and symptoms of cancer, and what to do if you have any symptoms, you are worried about.

How did we produce this animation?

Macmillan worked with local communities to understand more about any barriers that exist for cancer detection. We found that although we have multi language symptom cards which are great at raising awareness, not everyone can read. Feedback from the communities was clear - could we share the information in a more accessible way?

Community members were invited to co-produce the animation. Their input was invaluable. It helped to shape the animation into a resource that delivers against a range of real needs.

What is covered in the signs and symptoms of cancer animation? 

In the animation we explain:

- what is a symptom?

- what to do if you have any symptoms that are:

- unusual

- ongoing

- unexplained

- seeing your doctor or GP

- getting a second opinion

- support in your language

What are the signs and symptoms of cancer animation in British Sign Language (BSL) 

Access our signs and symptoms animations without British Sign Language.

What are the signs and symptoms of cancer animation in multiple languages

The animation is available in 18 different languages overall.  Access the signs and symptoms of cancer animation in your chosen language below. 

- Arabic
- Bengali
- Cantonese
- Dari 
- Farsi 
- Gujarati
- Pashto
- Polish
- Portuguese
- Punjabi
- Romanian
- Russian
- Turkish
- Ukrainian
- Urdu
- Welsh

More help and support

Alongside English and BSL, we provide a range of general cancer information in 16 additional languages. We chose our core languages based on both the needs of people living with cancer and on a lack of high-quality health information produced in these languages elsewhere in the UK.

Read all our fact sheets about cancer in these languages.