Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer because it is often found too late.
The pancreas is a small organ located behind the stomach that helps digest food and produces hormones such as insulin to control blood sugar.
When cancer develops in the pancreas, it can grow for months before causing clear symptoms.
Because the pancreas is deep inside the body, small tumors are difficult to detect. Many of the early symptoms are mild and can easily be mistaken for common problems such as indigestion or stomach upset. This is one reason why pancreatic cancer is often diagnosed only after it has spread.
Some of the first signs include ongoing pain in the upper abdomen or the middle of the back. The pain may come and go at first but gradually becomes more noticeable. Some people also lose weight without trying, feel full after eating only a small amount, or have nausea and poor digestion.
One of the most important warning signs is jaundice. This happens when the skin and the whites of the eyes become yellow because a tumor blocks the bile duct. The blockage causes a substance called bilirubin to build up in the body.
People with jaundice may also notice dark-colored urine, pale or greasy stools, and itchy skin. These symptoms should always be checked by a doctor because they can be a sign of a serious problem. While jaundice can have many causes, pancreatic cancer is one possibility that should not be overlooked.
Unexpected weight loss is another common warning sign. If the pancreas cannot make enough digestive enzymes, the body cannot absorb nutrients properly from food. As a result, people may lose weight quickly even if they continue eating normally.
Some people also develop diabetes shortly before they are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. This is because the pancreas produces insulin, the hormone that controls blood sugar. A sudden diagnosis of diabetes in an older adult with no clear explanation may sometimes be an early clue that the pancreas should be examined.
Other possible symptoms include extreme tiredness, loss of appetite, and a general feeling of being unwell. On their own, these symptoms are common and do not usually mean cancer. However, if several appear together or continue for weeks, it is important to seek medical advice.
Certain factors increase the risk of pancreatic cancer. Smoking, being overweight, chronic pancreatitis, and a family history of the disease all raise the chances of developing it. According to the American Cancer Society, people who smoke have about twice the risk of pancreatic cancer compared with people who do not smoke.
If doctors suspect a problem with the pancreas, they may recommend imaging tests such as CT scans or MRI scans to look more closely. These tests help identify tumors and other conditions, and having a scan does not necessarily mean cancer is present.
Paying attention to persistent symptoms and getting checked early can improve the chances of finding pancreatic cancer when treatment is more likely to be successful.
If you care about cancer, please read studies that a low-carb diet could increase overall cancer risk, and vitamin D supplements could strongly reduce cancer death.
For more health information, please see recent studies about how drinking milk affects the risks of heart disease and cancer and results showing higher intake of dairy foods linked to higher prostate cancer risk.
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