Dr Amir Khan, a regular face on ITV's Good Morning Britain and Lorraine, has shared new advice on five symptoms that should prompt an immediate visit to the doctor. The NHS GP took to Instagram to remind his followers of some 'red flag' symptoms as the year drew to a close.
He emphasised that these symptoms might seem harmless but could potentially indicate something serious. Dr Khan encouraged people to get these symptoms checked despite the difficulty in securing appointments, adding that expressing concern about serious conditions like cancer should prioritise your case.
In his video, he outlined five reasons that would warrant a consultation with him as a GP. Firstly, an unexplained cough persisting for three weeks or more, particularly in smokers, as it could be a sign of lung cancer requiring a chest X-ray or scan.
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Secondly, he advised anyone over 55 experiencing new, unexplained symptoms of acid reflux to seek medical attention. While there could be numerous causes, it's crucial to rule out stomach or food pipe cancer.
Dr Khan emphasised the importance of monitoring certain health symptoms, saying: "Number three, if you've been through the menopause and not had a period for a year or more, but then have a vaginal bleed. It doesn't matter how small it is, we need to get it investigated.
"Number four, if you've noticed any unexplained blood in your urine, particularly if it was not painful in any way when you passed it. It doesn't matter if it only happened once and it's all clear now, we need to get it looked into.", reports the Mirror.
He also pointed out that: "Number five, if you have a mole on your skin that is new or has changed, it's getting bigger, feels itchier, bleeding or simply looks or feels different. Get that looked at too."
Dr Khan added that while these issues might be nothing to be concerned about, it's crucial that healthcare professionals make that call.
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