Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month is being marked during March

A doctor has told of the four warning signs which could indicate you have ovarian cancer – including one you might see when eating.

About 7,500 people in the UK are diagnosed with ovarian cancer every year – about 21 per day.

Ovarian cancer is the sixth most common form of cancer nationwide for women, with Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month marked during March.

In a TikTok video, Dr Suraj Kukadia – who goes by ‘Doctor Sooj’ online – said several symptoms may appear before a diagnosis of ovarian cancer.

He said: “Anyone with ovaries can get ovarian cancer,” he began. “But it mostly affects those over the age of 50.”

According to Doctor Sooj, frequently having a ‘swollen or bloated tummy’ may be a symptom of ovarian cancer.

READ MORE: British mum, 58, found dead after ‘last minute’ plastic surgery in Turkey

Don’t miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the BirminghamLive newsletter here.

The NHS says that bloating is very common and has many causes – so experiencing bloating does not necessarily mean you have ovarian cancer.

It says: “The most common reason for bloating is having a lot of gas in your gut.

“This can be caused by some food and drinks, such as some vegetables and fizzy drinks, or by swallowing air when you eat.”

Constipation, food intolerances, coeliac disease and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can also cause bloating.

Doctor Sooj went on to say that ‘pain or tenderness in the pelvic region’ can be a symptom of ovarian cancer.

Similar to bloating, pelvic pain is relatively common and does not mean you have ovarian cancer.

The NHS says: “Most causes of pelvic pain are not serious.”

Constipation, IBS, urinary tract infections (UTIs) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can cause pelvic pain, as can more serious conditions such as appendicitis and peritonitis.

Doctor Sooj said a loss of appetite or ‘feeling really full really quickly’ can both be symptoms of ovarian cancer.

Loss of appetite can be a symptom of many types of cancer as well as other conditions.

Our appetite also naturally decreases as we get older.

According to Doctor Sooj, needing to pee more often or having an urgent need to pee frequently can be a symptom of ovarian cancer.

A change in bowel habits can also be a sign of the condition.

Doctor Sooj said if these symptoms happen ‘roughly 12 or more times a month’, it might be a good idea to see your GP.

Other ‘non-specific’ symptoms include back pain, losing weight without trying and feeling tired all the time, he added.

According to the NHS, other symptoms of ovarian cancer can include indigestion, constipation or diarrhoea, and bleeding from the vagina after the menopause.

A non-specific symptom refers to a symptom which is not specific to a single medical condition.