NICE urgent cancer guidance - symptoms of concern in adults

For people aged 60 and over with unexplained* weight loss (greater than 5% mean weight loss within a 6-month period), which is a symptom of several cancers including colorectal, gastro-oesophageal, lung, prostate, pancreatic and
urological cancer:

• carry out an assessment for additional symptoms, signs or findings that may help to clarify which cancer is most likely, and
• offer urgent investigation, or a suspected cancer pathway referral, or a non-specific symptoms pathway referral

For people with unexplained* appetite loss, which is a symptom of several cancer including lung, oesophageal, stomach, colorectal, pancreatic, bladder and renal cancer:

• carry out an assessment for additional symptoms, signs or findings that may help to clarify which cancer is most likely, and
• offer urgent investigation, or a suspected cancer pathway referral, or a non-specific symptoms pathway referral

For people with deep vein thrombosis, which is associated with several cancers including urogenital, breast, colorectal and lung cancer:

• carry out an assessment for additional symptoms, signs or findings that may help to clarify which cancer is most likely, and
• offer urgent investigation, or a suspected cancer pathway referral, or a non-specific symptoms pathway referral

*unexplained - symptoms or signs that have not led to a diagnosis being made by the healthcare professional in primary care after initial assessment (including history, examination and any primary care investigations)

Reference:

1. NICE (April 2026). Suspected cancer: recognition and referral