An NHS doctor has issued a warning about three “red flag” symptoms you should “never ignore”. According to the expert, these signs would “worry” your doctor.

It can be hard to know when a change in your body is something to be concerned about. Some could be normal or caused by something innocuous like a variation in your diet or the time of year.

However,other symptoms are far more sinister and should always be investigated. With this in mind Doctor Suraj Kukadia took to social media platform TikTok to explain more.

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Dr Kukadia, who goes by Dr Sooj online, shared three specific symptoms to tell your GP about. He said: “Here are three red flag health symptoms that you should never ignore.

“Please make sure you go to a doctor and get checked out if you have any of the following.”

A change in a mole

Dr Sooj said: “A change in the shape, size or colour of a mole more often than not is usually benign, but it's better to be safe than sorry and get checked out.” As per NHS advice, a new mole or a change in an existing mole can be a sign of melanoma skin cancer.

Moles to be wary of include:

• Moles with an uneven shape or edges


• Moles with a mix of colours


• Large moles - more than 6mm wide


• Moles that change over time


• Moles that change size, shape or colour

Other signs to look out for include moles that are swollen and sore, bleeding, itchy, or crusty. The NHS says you should speak to a doctor if:

• You have a mole that's changed size, shape or colour


• You have a mole that's painful or itchy


• You have a mole that's inflamed, bleeding or crusty


• You have a new or unusual mark on your skin that has not gone away after a few weeks


• You have a dark area under a nail that has not been caused by an injury

The health body adds: “Finding a melanoma as early as possible can mean it's easier to treat.”

Unintentional weight loss

Dr Sooj warned: “Are you rapidly losing weight without trying?” Unintentional weight loss can be a symptom of an underlying condition.

These can include cancer, thyroid issues, diabetes, heart failure, gastrointestinal problems, infections, stress, or depression. It could also be linked to your medication or diet.

The NHS advises you see a GP if you keep losing weight without changing your diet or exercise routine. It says: “It's important to see a GP as soon as possible if you have weight loss and other symptoms. The earlier the cause is found, the sooner it can be treated.”

A change in your poo

Dr Sooj added: “And finally, number three - a persistent change in the way that you poop.” He detailed more about what this could mean.

“So are you now more constipated?” he said. “Are you having more diarrhoea or more loose stools?

“Are you having blood in your stools? All of these can signify different conditions, but once again, we just need you to book an appointment with your doctor to rule out some of the more sinister causes of it.”

As he mentioned, there are various potential causes of this, including what you’re eating and how much water you drink. But it can also be a warning sign of bowel cancer, one of the most deadly forms of cancer in the UK.

Symptoms of bowel cancer may include:

• Changes in your poo, such as having softer poo, diarrhoea or constipation that is not usual for you


• Needing to poo more or less often than usual for you


• Blood in your poo, which may look red or black


• Bleeding from your bottom


• Often feeling like you need to poo, even if you've just been to the toilet


• Tummy pain


• A lump in your tummy


• Bloating


• Losing weight without trying


• Feeling very tired or short of breath – these are signs of anaemia, which can be caused by bowel cancer

The NHS says you should see a GP if you have any symptoms of bowel cancer for three weeks or more.