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Pancreatic cancer is often called a “silent” disease because symptoms are rarely noticeable in its early stages. When symptoms do appear, they can be subtle or easily mistaken for other health issues. Awareness of the signs and understanding your personal risk factors are critical. Early detection dramatically improves treatment options and outcomes.
“No one knows your body better than you. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t ignore it. Talk to your doctor and keep pushing for answers. At PanCAN, we’re working every day to make sure earlier detection and better treatments become the norm, not the exception,” said Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) Chief Scientific and Medical Officer Anna Berkenblit, MD, MMSc.
Here are seven common symptoms of pancreatic cancer. While these signs can also be linked to other health conditions, PanCAN recommends that anyone experiencing one or more of them consult their doctor.
1. Pain in the Back or Stomach
Tumors can press on nearby nerves or organs, causing persistent pain in the abdomen or mid-back. The pain may be dull or sharp and sometimes comes and goes.
2. Bloating or Abdominal Swelling
Digestive issues caused by pancreatic cancer can lead to gas and bloating. Fluid buildup in the abdomen (ascites), can also make your belly appear swollen or distended.
3. Trouble Digesting Food
Loss of appetite, nausea, and indigestion may indicate that the pancreas is not functioning properly or that a tumor is obstructing digestion.
4. Unexplained Weight Loss
Weight loss can occur even without changes in diet or activity. Cancer may affect how your body uses calories and protein, leading to muscle loss and decreased appetite.
5. Yellowing of Skin or Eyes (Jaundice)
Jaundice is a yellowing of the skin and eyes caused by the buildup of bilirubin, a component of bile. A tumor can block bile flow, causing yellowing of the skin and eyes. It may also cause itchy skin, dark urine, and pale-colored stools.
6. Changes in Bowel Movements
Many patients with pancreatic cancer have diarrhea, constipation or both. Diarrhea consisting of loose, watery, oily or foul-smelling stools can be caused by insufficient amounts of pancreatic enzymes in the intestines. Constipation is also a common problem. If the digestive system works too slowly, it can cause stools to become dry, hard and difficult to pass.
7. New or Changing Diabetes
Research suggests that a sudden onset of diabetes in people age 50 or older may be an early sign of pancreatic cancer, especially in those who have experienced continuous weight loss or do not have a family history of diabetes. A sudden change in blood sugar levels in diabetics who previously had well-controlled diabetes may also be a sign of pancreatic cancer. Learn more about diabetes and pancreatic cancer.
If you experience any of these signs, or notice unusual changes in your health, trust your instincts and speak with your doctor. Together we can shine a light on pancreatic cancer and raise awareness of the risks and symptoms.
