Every two minutes, someone in the UK is diagnosed with cancer. But while the disease is never out of the media spotlight – and rightly so – some types are rarely mentioned. The reason for this? Yes, a few may be relatively rare – especially compared to breast, lung, prostate and bowel, which account for more than half of all new cases. But we're also far less likely to hear about cancers that mainly affect older people. Other types only hit the headlines when a celebrity has been diagnosed. But to win our collective fight against this devastating disease, we need to hear – and talk – more about all kinds of cancer.

For more information on any type of cancer, contact Cancer Research UK

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How common is it? It's the UK's tenth most common cancer  – and the fifth most common cause of cancer death. Survival rates are low as it's often diagnosed late.

What are the risk factors? Smoking, being overweight and eating processed meat all increase risk. People with Type I or II diabetes, or a family history of the disease, may also be at higher risk. More than half of all new cases occur in people aged 75 and over.

Any warning signs? Abdominal pain, jaundice and unexplained weight loss may all be signs of pancreatic cancer – but are far more likely to be caused by something else.

Who can I talk to about it? www.pancreaticcancer.org.uk

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How common is it? More than three people are diagnosed with anal cancer each day in the UK, and it's more common in women. Incidence rates have tripled in men since the mid-1970s and increased almost five-fold in women – partly due to changing sexual habits.

What are the risk factors? The main avoidable risk is infection with human papilloma virus (HPV), a usually harmless group of viruses, spread through sexual contact. Having unprotected anal sex appears to increase risk, possibly because it boosts chances of HPV infection. Smoking and weakened immunity can also put you at higher risk.

Any warning signs? Rectal bleeding, itching and small lumps around the anus and loss of bowel control may all be symptoms of anal cancer.

Who can I talk to about it? www.analcancerfoundation.org

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How common is it? It's the UK's eighth most common cancer – with 28 new cases diagnosed each day. Since the early 1970s, death rates have increased by 47 per cent – a trend that experts have linked to rising obesity levels.

What are the risk factors? Obesity significantly increases risk, particularly for women: it's thought the associated excess of oestrogen may stimulate the growth of cancer cells. Smoking boosts risk by an average of 50 per cent. Other possible risk factors include high blood pressure and a family history of the disease.

Any warning signs? Symptoms can include blood in the urine, a constant pain beneath the ribs and stomach lumps. However, around half of all kidney cancers cause no symptoms and are only picked up by routine scans.

Who can I talk to about it? www.kcuk.org

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How common is it? One person is diagnosed with bowel cancer every 15 minutes in the UK – and rates are rising. Around 95 per cent of cases occur in people aged 50 and over. Actress Lynda Bellingham's recent death brought the disease into the spotlight – but, given its prevalence, bowel cancer's media profile remains otherwise low.

What are the risk factors? Smoking, excess alcohol and a diet that's high in processed foods and red meat but low in fruit and vegetables all appear to increase risk. People with diabetes, Crohn's disease or a family history of the disease may also be at increased  risk.

Any warning signs? Symptoms include bleeding from the bottom and/or blood in your stools (this blood is normally dark in colour), as well as unexplained weight loss, stomach pain and extreme tiredness.

Who can I talk to about it? www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk

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How common is it? More than seven people each day in the UK are diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Around two-and-a-half times as many women as men are diagnosed. Rates have doubled in men and more than doubled in women since the 1990s.

What are the risk factors? Exposure to radiation, particularly during childhood, appears to put people at higher risk. Other possible risks include a family history of the disease, certain benign thyroid conditions and being overweight or obese.

Any warning signs? A lump on the front of the neck, unexplained hoarseness, difficulty breathing and/or swallowing and neck pain can all be symptoms of the condition.

Who can I talk to about it? www.butterfly.org.uk

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How common is it? Around 2,300 people in the UK are diagnosed each year: it's the eighth most common cancer in men, and the 14th most common in women. There are two main types of the disease: squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Rates of the latter are increasing rapidly in the western world, but the reasons for this are still unclear.

What are the risk factors? Around two-thirds of oesophageal cancers are caused by smoking, and one-fifth are linked to alcohol. Some of the highest rates of squamous cell carcinoma occur in people who combine a heavy drinking and smoking habit.

Any warning signs? Difficulty swallowing is the most common symptom. Others include weight loss, chest or back pain, indigestion, a persistent cough, vomiting and hoarseness.

Who can I talk to about it? www.cancerresearchuk.org

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How common is it? Mesothelioma is cancer of the cells that cover many of the body's internal organs. Around seven people are diagnosed in the UK each day. It's five times more common in men than women. Incidence rates have increased five-fold since the late 1970s, but have stabilised over the past decade.

What are the risk factors? Most cases are caused by past occupational exposure to asbestos – an insulating material that was banned in the UK in 1985.

Any warning signs? Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung tissue, include chest pain, shortness of breath, a persistent cough and high fever. Symptoms of the less common peritoneal mesothelioma, which develops in the stomach lining, include stomach pain, nausea, loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss. Symptoms typically appear 20 to 30 years after exposure to asbestos.

Who can I talk to about it? www.mesothelioma.uk.com

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How common is it? Uterine – or womb – cancer is the most common gynaecological cancer in the UK – with 23 women diagnosed daily. Rates have increased by around half since the 1990s – partly due to rising obesity levels.

What are the risk factors? About a third of uterine cancer cases in the UK are linked to excess weight. Other possible risk factors include physical inactivity, diabetes and taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Any warning signs? The most common symptom is abnormal bleeding from the vagina – although the vast majority of women with bleeding don't have cancer. Other signs include heavy periods, lower back pain and discomfort during sex.

Who can I talk to about it? www.eveappeal.org.uk

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How common is it? Approximately 19 cases are diagnosed each day – but incidence rates have more than halved since the late 1980s and five-year survival rates have tripled. Around 90 per cent of new cases occur in men and women over the age of 55.

What are the risk factors? Almost a third of cases in the UK are linked to a bacterial infection of the stomach lining. Other risk factors include smoking and poor diet – consuming too much salt and not enough fruit and vegetables, in particular.

Any warning signs? Persistent indigestion and heartburn, trapped wind, bloating and stomach pain are all symptoms of stomach cancer – but generally have other causes.

Who can I talk to about it? www.cancerresearchuk.org

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How common is it? Yes, we know what you're thinking: we read about breast cancer all the time. But the media bias towards younger women and celebrities means many of us are harbouring under dangerous misconceptions about the disease. Lifetime risk of developing the disease is one in eight for women in the UK.

What are the risk factors? Around eight out of 10 cases are diagnosed in women over the age of 50 - and risk increases sharply with age. Inherited genes account for only a very small proportion of cases. Obesity increases risk of post-menopausal breast cancer by up to 30 per cent – and around nine per cent of cases overall are linked to excess weight. Around three per cent of cases are linked to hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Any warning signs? A lump or any other kind of change in the breast could be a sign of cancer – so always get it checked out. However, breast pain is rarely a symptom.

Who can I talk to about it? www.breastcancercare.org.uk

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