15-05-2025
Top GP reveals five unusual symptoms of deadly women's cancer - including a specific type of bloating
Bloating, thrush and lower back pain are all symptoms that most women will put down to hormonal changes at different stages of their menstrual cycle.
But, when persistent, they can also by symptoms of one of the five types of gynecological cancers: ovarian, cervical, endometrial (womb), vaginal and vulval—diseases that kill 21 women every day on average, or 8,000 women a year.
A top GP is now concerned that the red flag warning signs are being overlooked until it's too late—when the cancers are harder to treat.
In an Instagram video that has so far garnered 388,000 views, Dr Amir Khan listed five unusual symptoms of gynecological cancer that women should look out for.
Dyspareunia—pain during sex—and unusual vaginal discharge can also be a red flag for something more serious.
'When it comes to gynecological cancers, most of us know to watch out for things like post-menopausal bleeding or unusual pelvic pain', Dr Kahn explained, 'but there are other less obvious symptoms that could also be warning signs.'
Bloating—feeling fuller than usual, stomach pain and needing to wee more often—is the number one symptom that is often overlooked.
The GP, who has over 630,000 followers and regularly appears on ITV's This Morning, explained: 'We all get it from time to time, but if you feel bloated most days, especially if you're a woman over 35 and it's been going on for three weeks or more, don't ignore it.'
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A post shared by Dr Amir Khan GP (@doctoramirkhan)
This common symptom, which is often put down to hormones or diet, could be a sign of ovarian cancer—which only 13 per cent of women survive once it has spread to other parts of the body.
'It could be a sign of ovarian cancer—especially if its comes on with feeling full quickly, tummy pain, or needing to wee more often', Dr Kahn explained.
Other common symptoms of ovarian cancer include pelvic pain or discomfort, reduced appetite, feeling tired all the time and unexplained weight loss.
'Many women put this down to diet or hormones,' Dr Kahn said, 'but if it's unusual for you and it's persistent, see your GP.'
Another tell-tale sign of a gynecological cancer is unexplained lower back pain, the NHS doctor said, which he described as a 'dull ache' in the lower back that won't go away.
Whilst this could be musculoskeletal, it can also be a sign of a deadly cancer.
Dr Kahn said: 'In some cases, cervical or ovarian cancer can cause referred pain to the lower back or pelvic region, especially if it comes on with changes in your menstrual cycle or unusual discharge.'
'Get it checked', he added, urging anyone experiencing unexplained, persistent lower back pain to contact their GP.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tumours growing in the pelvis can irritate tissue in the lower back and abdomen, causing cramp-like symptoms.
Pain during sex—known as dyspareunia—is another unusual symptom of cervical, vaginal or even vulval cancer, the GP warned.
Whilst he acknowledged in the video that people can find it difficult to talk to their doctor about sex, he said painful sex could be a red flag for cancer.
'I know it is not the easiest thing to talk about but painful sex, especially if its new, or getting worse can be a red flag,' he said.
He continued: 'It could be due to things like vaginal dryness or an infection, but it can also be linked to cervical, vaginal, or even vulval cancer.
'So, if sex suddenly becomes painful, deep or shallow, it's worth talking to your doctor' Dr Kahn advised.
He also said that an itching or burning sensation in the vulva—the outside area of the female genital tract—can be a sign of vulval cancer.
Vulval cancer is cancer that is found anywhere in the vulva, including the inner and outer labia and the clitoris. Whilst it is rare, and mostly affects women over 65-years-old, persistent burning in women of any age could be a sign of cancer.
'We tend to associate itching down in the vulval area with thrush or irritation,' Dr Kahn said, 'but persistent vulval itching or burning especially if it's one sided or not getting better with treatment, can be a sign of vulval cancer.
Dr Kahn also advised looking out for a change in skin colour or texture, or any lumps or sores in the vulval area.
Other symptoms of vulval cancer include bleeding from the vulva, a mole that changes shape or colour and changes to the skin such as red, white or dark patches.
According to the NHS, most vulval cancers are caused by an infection with certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV)—which can be transmitted via skin-to-skin contact of the genital area, sex, or sharing sex toys.
Some skin conditions that affect the vulva can also lead to this type of cancer.
Finally, Dr Kahn said unusual vaginal discharge—in terms of both volume and colour—could be symptoms of the deadly disease.
'If your discharge is foul smelling, watery or blood-tinged and especially if you're post-menopausal, any unusual post-menopausal vaginal discharge needs attention,' he said.
'Even if your smear tests have been normal, don't ignore this symptom. It could be a sign of cancer of the womb or endometrium or cervical cancer', the GP warned.
'I am not here to scare you but empower you', Dr Kahn said.
'You know your body best and if something feels off persistently, it's worth getting it checked. Most of the time it won't be cancer, but catching gynecological cancers early saves lives.'
Gynecological cancers are cancers that start in a woman's reproductive system and can affect women of any age.
While any woman can get these cancers, certain factors can increase a woman's risk of developing the disease. Most gynecological cancers are more common in women over 50, especially those who have gone through the menopause.
Cervical cancer, found anywhere in the cervix—the opening between the vagina and the womb (uterus)—however is most common in women aged between 30 and 35.
On average, two women in Britain die every day from cervical cancer, dubbed a silent killer because its symptoms can easily be overlooked for less serious conditions.
But if the warning signs are caught early, the chance of surviving for at least five years is around 95 per cent .
This drops to just 15 per cent if the cancer is detected at later staged, when it has spread to other areas of the body.
