Signs of 'silent killer' Dr Amir Khan says all women need to be aware of

Women have been urged not to dismiss subtle warning signs that could be a common cancer affecting people daily across the UK. A doctor has warned that these symptoms are frequently overlooked because they rarely seem connected to the affected area. Cancer Research UK says that ovarian cancer can affect women, some transgender men and non-binary people assigned female at birth. The likelihood of developing ovarian cancer increases with age, with various factors either raising or lowering the risk. Ovarian cancer is often described as a "silent killer" as it typically presents no symptoms or only very subtle ones initially, which can lead to late diagnosis. However, experts are increasingly challenging this description. Instead, its symptoms - such as persistent bloating, pelvic pain, and feeling full quickly - are frequently mistaken for less serious conditions like IBS or menopause. Speaking on the No Appointment Necessary podcast, ITV's Dr Amir Khan discussed the "silent cancer" that affects 7,700 new women annually in the UK - approximately 21 per day, reports the Express . He said: "The symptoms [of ovarian cancer] are not very specific to the ovaries, so they feel like they could be coming from somewhere else." These warning signs can also be "dismissed" quite easily by women and their doctors so Dr Khan suggests that women over 35 should have any "unexplained or persistent" symptoms lasting three weeks or longer checked out. Certain people face a greater risk of developing ovarian cancer due to factors outside their control. Some women have a higher likelihood of developing this (and other cancers) based on family history, an inherited genetic fault or being born with particular genetic conditions like Lynch syndrome or Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. Cancer Research claims: "Being overweight or obese increases your risk of getting ovarian cancer. The more overweight you are, the higher your risk, but this doesn't mean that you will definitely develop cancer." Experts added that women with endometriosis or diabetes face an elevated risk of ovarian cancer. Smoking and asbestos exposure can also heighten the risk of certain ovarian cancer types. Some research has found that taking the combined contraceptive pill reduces your risk of ovarian cancer, as does having children and breastfeeding. Cancer Research claims: "This reduction in risk may be because while you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you're not ovulating. The fewer times you ovulate in your lifetime, the lower the risk of ovarian cancer." The NHS states that ovarian cancer predominantly affects women over the age of 50, though it can impact anyone with ovaries . The symptoms are not always immediately obvious, which is partly why so many cases are diagnosed at a late stage. It is crucial to have any potential symptoms of ovarian cancer examined by a medical professional as quickly as possible. Early detection can significantly improve treatment prospects through surgery, chemotherapy or targeted medicines, radiotherapy and hormone treatments. Some of the main symptoms of ovarian cancer include: having a swollen tummy or feeling bloated pain or tenderness in your tummy or the area between your hips no appetite or feeling full quickly after eating an urgent need to pee or needing to pee more often Other less common symptoms can include indigestion, constipation, diarrhoea, back pain, persistent fatigue, unexplained weight loss and unusual vaginal bleeding (including between periods, heavier periods or after the menopause). Speak to your GP if you experience any symptoms of ovarian cancer, or if you have previously visited your GP and your symptoms have not improved, or are worsening or occurring more frequently. The NHS website adds: "The symptoms of ovarian cancer 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."