Dr Karan Rajan, a surgeon and social media personality with over 10 million followers, is urging people to overcome embarrassment when discussing sensitive health concerns with their doctors. In his new book, This Is Vital Information, he highlights how avoiding conversations about bowel habits, personal hygiene, erectile dysfunction and excessive wind can have serious consequences.
The 35-year-old, based in Hampshire, says stigma surrounding these 'awkward topics' is not just a social problem but a medical one. 'People could literally die from embarrassment,' he warns. He points to a combination of factors that stop patients seeking help, including fear of bad news and being judged by others, particularly over conditions such as sexually transmitted diseases.
Dr Rajan recounts a patient he saw in a fast-track cancer referral who had experienced rectal bleeding, weight loss and constipation for months but avoided seeing a doctor out of embarrassment. The patient was diagnosed with advanced colorectal cancer and died shortly afterwards. 'All of those in combination are red flags,' he recalls.
The book also addresses misconceptions around feminine hygiene, noting that many marketed products are 'actually detrimental to the vaginal microbiome'. He advises people to familiarise themselves with what is normal for their bodies, and encourages open discussion of issues that are often ignored, particularly among men.
