Pancreatic Cancer is known as a ‘silent killer’, because it is one of the toughest cancers to treat, because its symptoms are hardly felt in the initial stages, until the disease reaches an advance stage. Not only that, early symptoms often mimic general health issues, which makes many brush them away as ‘regular lifestyle-diet issues’. However, like it is with all cancers, early detection remains crucial for treatment, and potentially saving lives. Here are 4 very early signs of pancreatic cancer, that should not be ignored…Unexplained weight loss and loss of appetiteThe first indication of pancreatic cancer appears as unexpected weight loss, which occurs without any changes in food consumption or physical activity. This occurs because the pancreas fails to generate enough digestive enzymes, which results in poor nutrient absorption by the body. People who develop this condition, experience reduced hunger and experience satiety, even after consuming small portions of food.
The journal Cancers (2020) published research, which demonstrated that weight loss and anorexia (loss of appetite), occur frequently during the early stages of pancreatic cancer, because of tumor-related complications and pancreatic inflammation. The American Cancer Society together with other health organizations, identify unexplained weight loss as a critical indicator for pancreatic cancer.People should seek medical help when they experience unexpected weight loss, because it might indicate a serious health issue. A person should visit their doctor when they experience weight loss, together with fatigue, and abdominal pain symptoms.JaundiceThe first sign of jaundice appears when a tumor blocks the bile duct, which causes yellow discoloration of skin and eyes. The bile duct blockage prevents normal bile flow, which results in bilirubin accumulation throughout the body.The symptoms of jaundice include skin itching, dark urine and light-colored stools. The detection of jaundice at its beginning stage enables doctors to identify pancreatic tumors, which remain small, especially when they develop in the head of the pancreas.
The National Cancer Institute identifies jaundice as an essential early warning sign, which occurs when tumors develop near the bile duct so patients should seek immediate medical care for any unexplained jaundice symptoms. Usually people do not think of jaundice as a sign of pancreatic cancer, because doctors commonly link it to liver or gallbladder diseases, which delays proper diagnosis.Abdominal or back pain that comes and goesPeople often dismiss upper abdominal or middle back pain that appears and disappears, because they believe it stems from muscle strain, indigestion or arthritis. This occurs because the tumor creates pain by applying pressure to surrounding nerves and organs.The 2014 qualitative research published in BMJ Open, revealed that pancreatic cancer patients developed periodic abdominal or back pain during the months or years before their diagnosis, but doctors failed to recognise these symptoms because they were not persistent. Medical professionals should perform tests for pancreatic cancer, when patients experience persistent unexplained pain because this condition affects people above 50 years old.Medical evaluation becomes necessary when abdominal or back pain persists and intensifies during rest, and after consuming food. Medical tests performed at this stage can identify tumors at an earlier stage.New onset, or worsening diabetesThe pancreas functions as an insulin-producing organ, which controls blood sugar levels. The development of pancreatic cancer disrupts insulin production, which results in diabetes symptoms in adults who have never had diabetes before.The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network together with medical research, indicates that new or deteriorating diabetes in adults aged 50 and above without diabetes risk factors, requires immediate medical evaluation. The development of pancreatic cancer-related diabetes often presents with additional symptoms, which include weight loss and abdominal discomfort.The symptoms of pancreatic cancer include unexplained weight loss, jaundice, abdominal pain and worsening diabetes, which require immediate medical evaluation. Doctors need to perform pancreatic cancer screening tests on patients who develop unexplained diabetes, together with these specific symptoms to make early diagnoses possible.Why these early signs should not be ignoredIn most cases, the detection of pancreatic cancer becomes difficult because patients usually show noticeable symptoms only after their disease has reached an advanced stage, which reduces treatment effectiveness. Medical evaluation of these warning signs at an early stage enables doctors to detect pancreatic cancer before it advances, which results in better patient survival rates.Research studies together with awareness programs, show that these symptoms occur frequently in non-cancerous conditions as well, yet doctors should investigate their presence when they persist, or appear together in people aged 50 and above, and those with pancreatic cancer family history.The first few signs of pancreatic cancer include unexplained weight loss, jaundice, abdominal pain and new diabetes, which doctors should not dismiss as ordinary conditions. Patients need to stay alert while seeking immediate medical evaluation.Disclaimer: This article is informational only and not a substitute for medical advice
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