Pancreatic cancer is often referred to as the “silent killer” because symptoms are not always present or difficult to detect.
Pancreatic cancer may not be as common as breast, lung, prostate, and colon cancers, but knowing the symptoms is important. This is because it usually does not cause symptoms in the early stages and may not occur until the cancer has grown. Cancer has one of the lowest 10-year survival rates, according to Cancer Research UK, with only five percent of people living more than ten years after diagnosis.
Researchers have identified symptoms that will help doctors better diagnose the disease: yellowing of the skin (jaundice) and bleeding in the stomach or intestines. They were regarded 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.
These symptoms were identified in a study published last year.
Dr Weichi Liao, a data scientist at the University of Oxford, said: “When pancreatic cancer is diagnosed early, patients are more likely to survive. Patients can be diagnosed when they visit their GP, but both patients and GPs need to know the symptoms associated with pancreatic cancer.
Dr Pippa Corey, Head of Pancreas for the Upper Gastrointestinal NCRI Group and Consultant Oncologist at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, UK, added: “Recognizing the early symptoms of pancreatic cancer is critical if we are to diagnose patients at early stage and improve survival after “Pancreatic cancer. This study could help doctors and their patients learn more about the signs of pancreatic cancer. It’s important that people see 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 become yellow (jaundice). You may also have itchy skin, darker urine, and lighter-colored stools than usual.
Loss of appetite or weight loss without effort.
Feeling tired or lacking energy.
– High fever, feeling hot or chills.
Other symptoms can also affect a person’s digestion:
I feel sick.
Diarrhea, constipation or other stool changes.
Pain in the upper abdomen and back, which may worsen while eating or lying down and lessen 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 have similar symptoms on a regular basis. You may find that you are used to them. worse or not feeling well.”
Source: Express
