Unexplained weight loss

Most of us can do with losing a few pounds, but if you suddenly lose weight over a short period of time and are not dieting, you should get it checked out by your GP.

If there is no obvious reason for your weight going down, it is called unexplained weight loss. An unexplained weight loss of 10 pounds or more over a short period of time - months - can sometimes be an early sign of cancer.

However, other medical conditions can cause this, so its important to see your GP.

This article was published on Mon 7 February 2011