Pancreatic cancer - five subtle symptoms that are easy to miss
Pancreatic cancer has always posed a particular threat as its often subtle symptoms are easily overlooked.
The pancreas is a large, leaf-shaped gland that sits just behind the stomach. It plays a crucial role in digesting food and regulating blood sugar.
Although pancreatic cancer ranks as the tenth most prevalent cancer in the UK, it stands as the fifth most lethal, contributing to nearly 10,000 annual deaths.
The insidious nature of the disease lies in its often largely symptomless - or subtly symptomatic - presentation, making early detection often extremely challenging.
As such, it is important the potential warning signs are heeded as soon as possible; and an expert has identified five such indicators to watch for.
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Speaking via TikTok, hospice nurse Julie McFadden - known as Hospice Nurse Julie - explained: “Pancreatic cancer is so deadly because it's often caught so late. So here are the five subtle signs you may see that could save your life.”
These are:
- Abdominal pain
- Back pain
- New diabetes
- Jaundice
- Unintentional weight loss.
Pain
An early warning sign can be pain in your back or abdomen.
Julie said: “Abdominal pain or mid back pain does not have to be severe. It can be a dull ache.”
The NHS describes this as: “Pain at the top part of your tummy and your back, which may feel worse when you're eating or lying down and better when you lean forward.”
Diabetes
Developing diabetes can sometimes be a precursor to pancreatic cancer, says Julie, particularly if the onset is 'not associated with weight gain'.
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network says diabetes may be either a risk factor or a symptom of pancreatic cancer.
“Pancreatic cancer is more likely to occur in people who have long-standing (more than five years) diabetes than in people who do not have diabetes,” it says.
“Also, research studies suggest that new-onset diabetes in people over 50 may be an early symptom of pancreatic cancer. A sudden change in blood sugar levels in diabetics who previously had well-controlled diabetes may also be a sign of pancreatic cancer.”
Jaundice
Jaundice refers to the yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.
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Julie said: “Yellow eyes or yellow skin, meaning the whites of your eyes turn a little yellow, or your skin has a little bit of a yellow tint.”
The Mayo Clinic says this could also cause pale-coloured stools and dark-coloured urine.
Unintentional weight loss
This is the main symptom to be aware of, says Julie.
“That's the main thing I see in pancreatic cancer,” she said. “You lose weight for no reason. You may have a change in appetite but sometimes you can be eating a lot and still losing weight.”
She added: “If you have any of these symptoms, it does not hurt to go get checked out by a doctor. It can save your life.”
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