Dr Amir Khan has warned that this sign should not be ignored
A GP has warned that anyone experiencing a particular symptom should not delay seeking medical attention. Persistent bloating lasting three weeks or longer requires investigation.
During a recent episode of his No Appointment Necessary podcast, Dr Amir Khan discussed how to recognise the signs of ovarian cancer. The disease, as its name indicates, begins in the ovaries. Consequently, anyone with ovaries is at risk. Even those who have undergone ovary removal can develop ovarian cancer, as it may affect the fallopian tubes or the peritoneum (the lining inside the abdomen).
The condition is most commonly diagnosed in women aged over 50. Data from Cancer Research UK shows it ranks as the sixth most frequent cancer affecting women in Britain, claiming more than 4,000 lives annually.
During his discussion with co-host Cherry Healey, Dr Amir – familiar to viewers from his ITV appearances, explained that the warning signs can be “easily” overlooked. Cherry said: “Ovarian cancer – cancer of the ovaries, which is called the ‘silent cancer’ because there aren’t that many warning signs. “
Dr Amir responded: “Yeah, I’m not sure I quite like that term the ‘silent cancer’. There are symptoms but the symptoms are not very specific to the ovaries so they feel like they could be coming from somewhere else.
“But also they’re easily dismiss, not just by the the lady, but also by doctors as well.”
He particularly emphasised that individuals should arrange a medical appointment if they notice unexplained bloating. “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 – I would say 35 or above anything, that is unexplained or persistent, and by that, I mean there’s no other obvious cause, it’s been going on for three weeks or more, go and get that checked out.”
A caption accompanying a clip from the podcast posted on Instagram stated: “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
On its website, the NHS warns that the signs of ovarian cancer are “not always obvious”. This means the disease is often treated “late”. The main symptoms of ovarian cancer include frequently (roughly 12 or more times a month) having:
- A swollen tummy or feeling bloated
- Pain or tenderness in your tummy or the area between the hips (pelvis)
- No appetite or feeling full quickly after eating
- An urgent need to pee or needing to pee more often
Other symptoms of ovarian cancer can include:
- Indigestion
- Constipation or diarrhoea
- Back pain
- Feeling tired all the time
- Losing weight without trying
- Bleeding from the vagina after the menopause
You should see a GP if you experience any of these symptoms. The NHS continues: “These symptoms are very common and can be caused by many different conditions.
“But it’s still important to get them checked by a GP. This is because if they’re caused by cancer, finding it early can mean it’s more treatable.”
It adds: “It’s important to get any symptoms of ovarian cancer checked as soon as possible. Finding it early can mean it’s more treatable.”



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