Health experts warn 'see GP' over bloating as it could be cancer

Health experts are warning people to watch out for bloating. According to Cancer Research UK, if you have bloating - alongside a number of other symptoms - it could be an early warning sign of stomach cancer, also called gastric cancer.

This is when abnormal cells in the stomach start to grow and divide in an uncontrolled way. Each year in the UK, around 6,500 people are diagnosed with it and whilst anyone can get it, stomach cancer is more common in older people, with around 50 percent of cases occuring in people aged 75 or over.

The cancer experts state: "Many stomach cancers are linked to lifestyle or environmental factors, including diet. Stomach cancer is linked with a bacteria that lives in the stomach called Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori). But not everyone with H.pylori will develop stomach cancer."

So what are the symptoms of stomach cancer?

The most common symptoms of stomach cancer include:

• difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
• unexplained weight loss
• tummy pain - you may have pain in your tummy (upper abdomen) or behind your breastbone (sternum)
• indigestion (dyspepsia) that doesn't go away
• feeling full after eating small amounts
• a loss of appetite
• feeling or being sick
• dark poo
• tiredness due to low levels of red blood cells (anaemia)

Cancer Research UK states that symptoms of early stomach cancer can be similar to symptoms of other conditions, such as stomach ulcers. You should see your doctor if you have unexplained weight loss. Or you have symptoms that are unusual for you or won't go away. Your symptoms are unlikely to be cancer, but it is important to get them checked by a doctor.

Does bloating always mean cancer?

No, not always. If you have bloating it could be due to a number of reasons such as what you eat, what you drink or a benign condition. But it is worth noting that bloating could be an early warning sign of stomach cancer and you should always see a GP if you suspect cancer or you are worried about your symptoms such as bloating.

Just recently on BBC Morning Live, a woman said that she thought her bad bloating was just her IBS. In fact, it was stomach cancer. She explained: "I've had IBS for over 20 years so the bloating is quite common for me and the change in bowel movement for me is quite common as well. I thought I've got a stressful life and I don't always have the best lifestyle so I thought the IBS was just flaring up.

"I did go back to the GP a few times in that period saying 'I just don't feel right, I just don't feel well, what's going on?'. I was starting with the menopause, so I had quite extreme fatigue, which is another sign and symptom of stomach cancer. But I just didn't join the dots.

"I had heard of stomach cancer, but I didn't know what the early signs and symptoms were. So looking back now, holistically, I can see all those things were there, but I wasn't persistent enough with pushing and going back. I just thought 'it's only a bit of bloating or a bit of indigestion, it's not serious', never thought for one minute that we would be dealing with cancer."

When should I see my GP?

You should see your doctor if you notice a change that isn't normal for you. Or if you have any of the possible signs and symptoms of cancer.

Even if you're worried about what the symptom might be, don't delay seeing them. If you're finding it difficult to get an appointment you should keep trying. Your worry is unlikely to go away if you don’t see someone about it.

The symptom might not be due to cancer. But if it is, the earlier it's picked up the higher the chance of successful treatment. You won't be wasting your doctor's time.

Try not to be embarrassed. What you tell your GP is confidential. Doctors are used to discussing intimate problems and will try to put you at ease.