Doctor Amir Khan has issued a warning about a common symptom that should not be ignored: bloating lasting three weeks or more. In a recent episode of his No Appointment Necessary podcast, the GP urged anyone experiencing persistent bloating to seek medical help, as it could be a sign of ovarian cancer.
Ovarian Cancer Symptoms Often Dismissed
Ovarian cancer starts in the ovaries, but it can also affect the fallopian tubes or the lining inside the abdomen (peritoneum). It is most common in women over 50 and is the sixth most common cancer among women in the UK, causing over 4,000 deaths annually, according to Cancer Research UK.
Speaking with co-host Cherry Healey, Dr Khan—known for his appearances on ITV—said the signs can be “easily” dismissed by both patients and doctors. Cherry noted that ovarian cancer is often called the “silent cancer” due to few warning signs. Dr Khan responded: “I'm not sure I quite like that term. There are symptoms, but they are not very specific to the ovaries, so they feel like they could be coming from somewhere else.”
Key Symptom: Unexplained Bloating
Dr Khan specifically highlighted unexplained gas or bloating for three weeks or more as a red flag. He advised: “If you've got unexplained gas or a feeling of being bloated for three weeks or more and you are—the official guidance is 40 in Europe, but I would say 35 or above—anything that is unexplained or persistent, with no other obvious cause, go and get that checked out.”
A caption on an Instagram clip from the podcast added: “There’s no such thing as ‘just bloating’ when symptoms persist. Ovarian cancer is often called the ‘silent cancer’, but as Dr Amir & Cherry discuss, there are symptoms. The problem is they’re easy to dismiss. If you’ve had unexplained bloating, gas, or discomfort for three weeks or more, don’t ignore it. Get it checked.”
Other Symptoms to Watch For
The NHS warns that ovarian cancer symptoms are “not always obvious,” leading to late diagnosis. The main symptoms include frequently (12 or more times a month) having:
- A swollen tummy or feeling bloated
- Pain or tenderness in your tummy or pelvic area
- No appetite or feeling full quickly after eating
- An urgent need to pee or needing to pee more often
Other possible symptoms include indigestion, constipation or diarrhoea, back pain, feeling tired all the time, losing weight without trying, and vaginal bleeding after menopause.
The NHS advises seeing a GP if you experience any of these symptoms, as they can be caused by many conditions. However, if cancer is the cause, early detection makes it more treatable.
