Health experts have issued a warning over the potential first sign of pancreatic cancer, which is often hard to spot.
Medical experts have warned people to watch for four warning signs in the leg that could signal a fatal illness responsible for claiming nearly 10,000 lives in Britain annually. The “first clue” to pancreatic cancer might manifest in the limbs.
Health authorities state that pancreatic cancer – the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths across the UK – can trigger a condition called deep vein thrombosis, commonly known as DVT. This develops when a blood clot forms within a major vein, frequently in the leg.
The American Cancer Society explained: “Sometimes, the first clue that someone has pancreatic cancer is a blood clot in a large vein, often in the leg. This is called a deep vein thrombosis or DVT.” The organisation identified four indicators of DVT as pain, swelling, redness, and warmth in the affected leg.
Occasionally, a fragment of the clot may “break off and travel to the lungs, which might make it hard to breathe or cause chest pain”. When a blood clot reaches the lungs, it becomes a pulmonary embolism – a life-threatening emergency requiring urgent medical intervention.
Specialists from Pancreatic Cancer UK have clarified that people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer face “higher risk of a blood clot forming in a vein”. They said: “There is a higher risk of getting a blood clot if you have cancer.
“If you have pancreatic cancer the risk is even higher, and people with advanced (metastatic) pancreatic cancer are more at risk.” As reported by Express.co.uk, several factors contribute to this increased risk.
The cancer itself, certain treatments like some chemotherapy drugs or surgery, and reduced mobility post-surgery or treatment can all contribute to the risk of blood clots. However, cancer isn’t the sole risk factor for blood clots.
Your risk could also increase if you:
- Have an inherited condition that makes blood clots more likely, such as Factor V Leiden
- Use hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or a contraceptive pill that contains oestrogen
- Have varicose veins (swollen veins)
- Have had a blood clot before, or a close relative has
- Are over 60
- Are obese, or you smoke
Other symptoms of pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer is a type of cancer that can be found anywhere within the pancreas, an organ located in the upper part of your abdomen. This organ aids in digestion and produces hormones like insulin.
The symptoms you experience will depend on various factors including the location of the cancer within the pancreas, its size, whether it has spread, and your overall health. The NHS cautions that pancreatic cancer may not present any symptoms, or they might be difficult to identify.
Symptoms of pancreatic cancer can include:
- The whites of your eyes or your skin turning yellow (jaundice). You may also have itchy skin, darker pee, and paler poo than usual
- Loss of appetite or losing weight without trying to
- Feeling tired or having no energy
- A high temperature, or feeling hot or shivery
Other symptoms can affect your digestion, such as:
- Feeling or being sick
- Diarrhoea or constipation, or other changes in your poo
- Pain at the top part of your tummy and your back, which may feel worse when you’re eating or lying down, and better when you lean forward
- Symptoms of indigestion, such as feeling bloated
If you notice any unexplained symptoms, it’s crucial to consult your GP. According to statistics from Cancer Research UK, pancreatic cancer claims the lives of 9,600 people in the UK annually.