*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature L: Laxatives.

Symptoms

Main symptoms of gallbladder cancer

Gallbladder cancer may not have any symptoms, or they might be hard to spot.

Symptoms of gallbladder cancer include:

the whites of your eyes turning yellow or your skin turning yellow, which may be less obvious on brown or black skin (jaundice) - you may also have itchy skin, darker pee and paler poo than usual
loss of appetite or losing weight without trying to
a high temperature, or you feel hot or shivery
a lump in your tummy

Other symptoms can affect your digestion, such as:

feeling or being sick
aching pain in the right side of your tummy, sometimes described as a "dragging feeling"
sharp pain in your tummy
a very swollen tummy that's not related to when you eat

If you have another condition like irritable bowel syndrome you may get symptoms like these regularly.

You might find you get used to them. But it's important to be checked by a GP if your symptoms change, get worse, or do not feel normal for you.

the whites of your eyes or your skin turn yellow
you're being sick for more than 2 days
you have symptoms of gallbladder cancer that you're worried about, but are not sure where to get help

111 will tell you what to do. They can arrange a phone call from a nurse or doctor if you need one.

a lump in your tummy
lost a noticeable amount of weight
symptoms of gallbladder cancer, such as pain or swelling in your tummy, that get worse or do not get better after 2 weeks
a condition that causes symptoms with your digestion, and your symptoms are not getting better after 2 weeks using your usual treatments

Many of these symptoms are very common and can be caused by many different conditions.

Having them does not definitely mean you have gallbladder cancer. But it's important to get them checked by a GP.

This is because if they're caused by cancer, finding it earlier makes it more treatable.

The GP may feel your tummy.

They may ask you to have a blood test.

The GP may refer you to see a specialist in hospital for more tests if they think you have a condition that needs to be investigated.

This may be an urgent referral, usually within 2 weeks, if you have certain symptoms. This does not definitely mean you have cancer.

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature L: Laxatives. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
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