Pancreatic cancer is known as one of the most daunting diseases to overcome. This might be because it’s the third most deadly cancer in the U.S. and is expected to be the second deadliest cancer by 2020.
About 56,770 people are expected to be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year, with 45,750 dying from the disease. And while pancreatic cancer only accounts for 3% of all U.S. cancer diagnoses, it makes up seven percent of all cancer deaths.
One of the factors that contributes to the high mortality rates of pancreatic cancer is that it often does not show significant symptoms until the disease has progressed, and early screening for pancreatic cancer is challenging.
But what if there are more subtle signs to recognize? What should you bring up to your primary care physician that might lead to an early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer?
Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer
One of the difficulties in diagnosing pancreatic cancer early is that often presents differently among patients. Here are some of the more common symptoms that might indicate something isn't normal and it's time to see a doctor.
Pain in Your Side
Feeling chronic pain in your side between your ribs and hips could be a symptom of appendicitis, an inflamed gallbladder or pancreatitis. All of these conditions can cause a serious, potentially lethal infection if not treated immediately. So, if you have any new pain in your abdomen, it’s advised to get it checked out by your doctor.
Stomach or abdominal pain can be a symptom of pancreatic cancer, but it can vary from patient to patient. One patient might have a severe pain, while others a more non-specific symptom or no pain at all.
The most important thing is to listen to your body. If a pain or discomfort is not going away after a week or so, discuss it with your doctor.
Jaundice or Yellowing of the Skin
Jaundice can be caused by many other diseases, but it is also a common first sign of pancreatic cancer.
Jaundice is a yellow pigment that appears in the white of your eyes or skin. This can occur with pancreatic cancer because it can occur near or press on the common bile duct, which delivers bile from the liver to the small intestines to break down digestive fat. Bile contains a yellow-brown substance called bilirubin, which can build up in the body if the bile duct is blocked by a tumor.
If pancreatic cancer spreads to the liver, that can further contribute to developing jaundice.
Additional symptoms of jaundice include:
- Darker urine
- Itchy skin
- Lighter and greasier stools
Unexplained Weight Loss and Lower Appetite
A decreased appetite and unintended weight loss are common symptoms of any malignancy, including pancreatic cancer.
Because the pancreas plays a role in digestion by producing insulin, it’s possible that pancreatic cancer can interfere in the normal digestive process, leading to these two symptoms.
Risk Factors for Pancreatic Cancer
It's also important for people to be aware if they have risk factors for pancreatic cancer, so you can be more aware to symptoms and talk to your doctor about how you can monitor your pancreatic health.
Some of these risk factors can include:
- Family history of pancreatic cancer
- Personal history of chronic pancreatitis
- Exposure to environmental carcinogens
- Smoking
- Obesity
More recent research has correlated obesity with a 20% greater chance of developing pancreatic cancer, which is significant.
With younger populations experiencing obesity, awareness of these symptoms across all generations is important.
Diagnosis and Treatment for Pancreatic Cancer
There are no easy screenings for pancreatic cancer, but for those with a strong family history of pancreatic cancer or with a known genetic syndrome that increases their risk, endoscopic ultrasounds can be performed voluntarily as a “screening” measure.
To diagnose pancreatic cancer, an MRI, CT scan or endoscopic ultrasound are often ordered. Like all other cancers, the earlier we can find it and initiate treatment, the more probable it is to achieve better outcomes for the patient.
World Pancreatic Day
As we approach World Pancreatic Cancer Day on Nov. 21, we’re calling our communities to feel empowered by taking their whole health into their own hands — and with our help along the way.
Know the symptoms of pancreatic cancer and talk to your primary care doctor about any changes in your health and wellness. Working together, there’s hope to stand up to pancreatic cancer with earlier detection and better outcomes.
Pancreatic cancer is known for being an aggressive disease, but we’re working on changing that with more awareness and research discoveries that may lead to more effective screening and treatment measures.
Learn more about AdventHealth’s comprehensive whole-person approach to cancer care.
