Doctor shares tell-tale signs your bloating could be symptom of cancer

Bloating is a common problem that leaves your tummy feeling swollen and stretched.

This uncomfortable appearance often also comes hand in hand with gurgling noises and passing a lot of wind.

Around 10 to 25 percent of healthy people suffer from bloating at some point, with things like fizzy drinks and stress often being the causes behind this problem.

However, this common occurrence can sometimes be a warning sign of cancer, according to Dr Deborah Lee, from Dr Fox Online Pharmacy.

She explained that the “most common” cancers that can cause this red flag are cancers of the ovary, pancreas, or bowel.

While it might be difficult to distinguish between normal bloat triggered by something like diet and cancerous bloat, the doctor shared that other symptoms could help.

With ovarian cancer, bloating is often one of the earliest signs but other symptoms can follow.

The doctor explained that you can also experience tummy pain, loss of appetite, feeling full quickly after meals and needing to pee more often. 

However, pancreatic cancer usually causes bloating as the person feels full up quickly after meals, with lots of gas and burping.

Patients may also experience symptoms, including tiredness, yellowing of the skin and the eyes, and feeling hot and shivery.

The doctor added: “In bowel cancer, the tumour can cause bowel obstruction, causing colicky tummy pain, nausea, vomiting, bloating and distension. 

“With complete obstruction, the patient cannot pass any poo or wind from the rectum.”

Other tell-tale signs of this type of cancer are changes in your poo, losing weight without trying to, and bleeding from your bottom.

The last sign that could be pointing to a serious underlying problem behind bloating is persistence.

The doctor said: “Persistent bloating requires further assessment. If this is happening 12 or more times a month, or is a new symptom that has been happening persistently over a period of three weeks or more, you should see your GP.

“It’s important to note that when we say – ‘persistent bloating’ – we don’t mean the symptom has to be there all the time. 

“Persistent bloating can come and go, but it keeps coming back.”