Pancreatic Cancer: Know the Symptoms & Risks

We are continually raising awareness about pancreatic cancer. It’s about time you knew the symptoms & risks.

The cause of the majority of pancreatic cancer cases is unknown, but research studies have identified the following risk factors that may increase the likelihood that someone will develop pancreatic cancer.

It’s important to remember that symptoms can be caused by more common things. They can also be caused by conditions such as pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), gallstones, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or hepatitis (inflammation of the liver).

The common symptoms are:

• Pain in the upper abdomen could be caused by a pancreatic tumor pushing against or invading nerves or organs near the pancreas.

• Pain in the mid-back could be caused by a pancreatic tumor pushing against or invading nerves or organs near the pancreas.

• Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), is caused by excess bilirubin (a component of bile) in the blood. Jaundice can also result in itchiness of the skin, abnormally dark urine, and light or clay-colored stools

• Unexplained weight loss can be an early symptom and can occur without any pain or apparent change in indigestion.

• Changes in the stool. Many pancreatic cancer patients experience 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.

• Pancreatic cancer can decrease appetite or change the way food tastes.

• Indigestion: This may include poor appetite, nausea, and vomiting. It is common for pancreatic cancer to cause problems with eating and digesting food. Symptoms can include: feeling full quickly when eating, bloating, lots of wind, and burping.

• New-onset diabetes in people over the age of 50, and a sudden change in blood sugar levels in diabetics who previously had well-controlled diabetes.

Please seek guidance and support from a local World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition member organization or your doctor if you have questions about these risk factors or symptoms.