Pancreatic cancer is a fatal disease without symptoms, so beware of these signs
Pancreatic cancer may not be as common as breast, lung, prostate and bowel cancers, but knowing the symptoms of the disease is very important. This is because it doesn't usually cause symptoms in the early stages, because symptoms don't always appear or can be difficult to detect, and can't appear until the cancer grows. According to UK Cancer Research, a pancreatic cancer patient has one of the lowest 10-year survival rates, with only five per cent of people living for more than a decade after diagnosis.
The researchers identified symptoms to look for to help doctors better diagnose the disease: yellowing of the skin (jaundice) and bleeding in the stomach or intestines. These were seen as the two most serious symptoms associated with the disease.
The researchers also found two lesser-known warning signs of pancreatic cancer — increased thirst and dark yellow urine.
According to Russia Today, these symptoms were identified in a study published last year.
Dr Weqi Liao, a data scientist at the University of Oxford, said: "When pancreatic cancer is diagnosed early, patients have a greater chance of survival. It is possible to diagnose patients when they visit the GP, but both patients and GPs should be aware of the symptoms associated with pancreatic cancer."
Dr Pippa Currie, Head of Pancreatic Action Pathway at the Upper Gastroenterology Group NCRI and Consultant Medical Oncologist at Addenbrooke Hospital in Cambridge, UK, added: "Recognising the early symptoms of pancreatic cancer is critical if we are to diagnose patients early and improve survival from pancreatic cancer. This research can help doctors and their patients learn more about the signs of pancreatic cancer. It's important for people to talk to their GP if they notice these symptoms."
The NHS lists the main symptoms of pancreatic cancer as follows:
The whites of your eyes or skin turn yellow (jaundice), and you may also have itchy skin, darker urine and pale stools than usual.
- Loss of appetite or weight loss without trying.
- Feeling tired or lack of energy.
- High fever or feeling hot or shivering.
Other symptoms can also affect a person's digestion:
- Feeling sick.
- Diarrhea, constipation or other changes in your stools.
Pain in your upper abdomen and back, which may worsen when eating or lying down and is better when you lean forward.
- Symptoms of indigestion such as feeling bloated.
The NHS advises: "If you have another condition such as irritable bowel syndrome, you may develop symptoms like this regularly. You may find that you get used to it. "But it's important that a GP examines you if your symptoms change, worsen or you don't feel normal."