8 Signs of Pancreatic Cancer – Not to Ignore Ever
8 Signs of Pancreatic Cancer – Not to Ignore Ever
Pancreatic cancer has one of the highest death rates of any cancer. Early pancreatic cancers often do not cause any signs or symptoms. By the time they show some symptoms, they have often grown very large or already spread outside the pancreas.
Just under 2 percent of people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in their lifetimes, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
Mostly because it’s so hard to detect in the early, treatable stages. Having one or more of the symptoms from the below given, does not mean you have pancreatic cancer. Sometimes, many of those symptoms are more likely to be caused by other health conditions.
Still it’s important to have them checked by a cancer specialist so that the cause can be found and treated, if needed.
Here, the most common symptoms of pancreatic cancer that you should not ignore.
Yellow skin and eyes
It is also considered as Jaundice related symptoms. Cancers that start in the head of the pancreas are near the common bile duct. The yellow skin and eyes could be a sign of a host of medical problems that can include alcoholism, liver failure, and pancreatic cancer.
Bloating – you look four months pregnant
Bloating after a big meal is normal, staying that way for many days isn’t. As pancreatic tumors grow larger, they can cause your belly to distend. And this is the very first sing women often notice, but they don’t consult a doctor.
Loss of appetite
Loss of appetite is another early indicator of pancreatic cancer. You feel nauseous and feel full even if you haven’t eaten for hours. Eating may even feel painful.
Rapid weight loss
This is the result of loss of appetite. In a span of 6 months to a year, you may lose 5% of your body weight. If no other reason identified for your weight loss, you should to consult a doctor.
Your lower back is killing you
As a pancreatic tumor grows it not only puts pressure on internal organs but also your lower spine and back muscles, causing a constant, dull pain. Thanks to menstrual cramps, women are used to dealing with low-back pain on a regular basis.
Your pee looks more like tea
Usually yellow urine is a sign of dehydration, but it’s also often the very first sign of jaundice that people notice. As the tumor causes less bile to be excreted and bilirubin levels in the blood to increase, the urine becomes brown in color, the American Cancer Society explains.
Itchy skin
All-over itchy skin is an early warning sign of jaundice and pancreatic cancer. So if you can’t pinpoint your itchiness to other causes, like bug bites or an allergic reaction, and lotion doesn’t relieve it, get it checked out.
Your stomach hurts
Pancreatic tumor there can give you a constant low-key stomach ache, regardless of what you ate. Going to the general physician for a tummy ache may seem like something only toddlers do, but this kind of unspecified pain can be an early symptom of pancreatic cancer.
Looking for other gastro-intestinal cancer treatment and diagnosis related information? Here’s Everything You Should Know About Gastro-Intestinal Cancer