If you have indigestion and stomach pains, and you’re skipping meals and feeling a little sick, you might think it’s a tummy bug. Always remember that it is also a symptom of something much worse: pancreatic cancer, the fifth most common cancer death.
About 10,500 people are diagnosed in the UK each year, and the symptoms of the disease are often mistaken for other, far more benign conditions. Therefore, many people do not seek medical help until the cancer is in its later stages. and much more difficult to treat.
As a result, pancreatic cancer is the deadliest common cancer, with more than half of patients dying within three months of diagnosis, according to Pancreatic Cancer UK (PCUK, pancreaticcancer.org.uk). increase.
PCUK Nurse Specialist Jeni Jones said: If symptoms persist, consult your primary care physician. It may have been diagnosed early. “
Here are some of the symptoms that can easily be dismissed as less serious…
1. Indigestion
Indigestion and heartburn can be common symptoms of pancreatic cancer, but most people don’t think they’re necessarily related to a serious illness.
“Often, you might just take an over-the-counter medication for persistent indigestion. It’s not like you automatically see yourself running to a GP,” Jones said. increase. “But sometimes it’s consistent with other symptoms, such as stomach or back pain, or there are some minor things going on that suggest pancreatic cancer.”
2. Stomach and back pain
This can range from a dull ache to pain that radiates down your stomach and back, explains Jones. “It’s not a back pain, it’s often between the shoulder blades. It can get worse after eating something, and it doesn’t go away easily.”
She says a combination of tummy and back pain is a very common symptom, although some people may have just one or the other.
3. Unexplained weight loss
Weight loss associated with pancreatic cancer can first be seen when people are not actually trying to lose weight and are eating relatively normally. You may find that,” says Jones.
4. Anorexia
Of course, weight loss can also be associated with decreased appetite. This is another symptom of pancreatic cancer that can be easily ignored, at least at first. “The possibilities range from people who actually don’t think they’re that hungry, to people who have no appetite and can’t face food, to people who feel full with very little food,” says Jones. Says such a change in appetite means that a tumor is compressing the stomach or a reduced ability to eat.
5. Jaundice
Jaundice is a common symptom of pancreatic cancer, but it tends to occur only in people whose tumors are directed toward the head of the pancreas, explains Jones. You don’t get jaundice, but it’s very common,” she says. Hmm.”
6. Itching
Because bile salts first build up under the skin, the skin can become very itchy before jaundice develops. “I’m not talking about a little itch.
7. Changes in bowel habits
“This is very important,” Jones stresses. Jaundice can also occur. This greasy yellow poop that doesn’t wash off is a sure sign that something is wrong with the upper part of your digestive system.
“If patients do not provide details of their diarrhea, diagnosis can take longer, and time is of the essence.”
8. Recently diagnosed diabetes
Dr. Jones warns that the very small number of people recently diagnosed with diabetes may have pancreatic cancer. “If you have symptoms of pancreatic cancer and are suddenly diagnosed with diabetes, that should be a red flag for your doctor to consider whether you need a scan to check your pancreas.”
9. Nausea
Feeling sick or unwell can be another symptom of pancreatic cancer, but she stresses:
10. Blood clot
According to Jones, blood clots are a rare symptom of pancreatic cancer that can be seen, for example, in people who are young, nonsmokers, and usually not at risk for blood clots.
“They might show shortness of breath or swollen legs, go for a scan, and find out they have pancreatic cancer,” she says. It can lead to the fact that there is an underlying problem.”
11. Fatigue
Of course, fatigue can be caused by many different things, but if you also have other symptoms, it could be linked to pancreatic cancer, warns Jones. If the inability to recharge, combined with other symptoms such as continuous pain and steatorrhea, make a person physically exhausted, it could be another symptom of pancreatic cancer.”
12. Fever, shivering, feeling unwell
While such symptoms are rare pancreatic cancer symptoms, they are not unprecedented and may be related to the cancer itself or to jaundice-related infections, Jones said. He said you should see a doctor immediately.
13. Difficulty swallowing food
“Cancer can make people feel full, so I think the problem has to do with swallowing, but a lot of the time it’s the fact that food doesn’t fit in very well,” says Jones. It doesn’t actually cause problems with your esophagus, it may just make swallowing feel weird.
14. Depression and Anxiety
Depression and anxiety with no apparent cause are common symptoms of pancreatic cancer, says Jones. she says. Again, I’m not looking at these things individually, but as a whole. “
