Cancer Research UK and Tesco are running a health campaign for the next two weeks to highlight the importance of early diagnosis of cancer, and support customers to seek help if they’ve noticed something unusual for them. Spotting cancer early can save lives, but many people still face barriers to help seeking.

Top 10 barriers to getting cancer symptoms checked revealed

Difficulty getting a GP appointment, choosing to manage symptoms alone, or simply having too many other things to worry about are some of the main reasons people are putting off having potential cancer symptoms checked, according to new research from Cancer Research UK.

We worked with YouGov* to survey 6,844 people across the UK to understand what stopped them from seeking help the last time they spotted something that could have been a sign of cancer.

The top 10 reasons were:

1. Thinking it would be difficult to get an appointment (53%)
2. Finding it difficult to get an appointment (47%)
3. Not thinking the symptom would be anything serious (44%)
4. Deciding they could manage the symptom themselves (43%)
5. Finding it difficult to get an appointment with a particular healthcare professional (43%)
6. Not wanting to be seen as someone who makes a fuss (40%)
7. Thinking the symptom was related to an existing illness, condition or life change (37%)
8. Not wanting to be given a remote appointment (37%)
9. Having too many other things to worry about (37%)
10. Worrying that symptoms wouldn’t be taken seriously (36%)

The findings come as Cancer Research UK continues its partnership with Tesco to help address these barriers and support people to seek help through Tesco Pharmacies. The partnership aims to prompt those who are experiencing symptoms or are concerned about cancer to get information and support while they shop in over 350 large Tesco stores across the country. Customers can have a private consultation with one of the supermarket’s in-store pharmacists about what to do next.

Tesco pharmacists have received specialist training from Cancer Research UK to provide support on possible signs and symptoms of cancer. If someone notices something that is unusual for them, they can have an initial conversation with a Tesco pharmacist wearing a “Let’s Talk” badge in a convenient, private setting, and receive guidance on taking the next steps and booking a GP appointment if needed.

Spotting cancer early matters

Data from Cancer Research UK highlights why spotting cancer early is so important. Bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in the UK** – but around 9 in 10 people in England will survive the disease for five years or more if they are diagnosed at the earliest stage, compared to around 1 in 10 at the latest stage.***

There are over 350 Tesco Pharmacies across the UK that are looking to help with early diagnosis. Customers can have a confidential chat in a private consultation room with a pharmacist at a time that fits around their schedule (including evenings and weekends) without the need for an appointment. Customers can even combine this with their weekly shop.

Pharmacists are available all year round, with Cancer Research UK and Tesco running a health campaign from Monday 17 – Sunday 30 November 2025 to highlight the importance of early diagnosis of cancer, and support customers to seek help if they’ve noticed something unusual for them.

Steve’s story

Steve Browne, 59, from London, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2012 aged 45.

Steve, who lives with his wife and has three grown up children, had experienced intermittent bleeding and stomach pain for several months before his diagnosis.

He initially ignored his symptoms, as he had been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome many years previously, but eventually did go to get checked out.

Speaking about his experience, Steve said: “We need a kick to get checked out, and my wife was the one who sent me to the doctor after I told her all my symptoms. I was lucky as the cancer was caught early and it had not spread. I needed surgery but did not have to have chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

This year, Steve is celebrating being cancer free after receiving his thirteenth year of clear scans.

Helping You To Live Healthier

The Tesco Health Charity Partnership with Cancer Research UK, the British Heart Foundation and Diabetes UK was launched in 2018 and is built on a simple belief – that Every Little Help can make a big difference. As part of the partnership’s “Let’s Talk” training programme, Tesco pharmacists and pharmacy staff have undergone specialist online training to help them speak to the public about cancer, heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Tesco pharmacists are available to support anyone experiencing symptoms to discuss what steps to take next.