Pancreatic is the fifth most deadly type of cancer in the UK, causing around 9,600 deaths annually – here are the symptoms to look for.
A doctor has warned that a persistent symptom could be a lesser-known sign of a “silent” disease. According to an expert, “ongoing” pain in the back could indicate pancreatic cancer.
Statistics from Cancer Research UK show that pancreatic cancer is the 10th most common form of the disease, with around 10,800 people diagnosed every year. However, it is the fifth most deadly type of cancer, causing around 9,600 deaths annually.
Part of what makes it so deadly is the fact that its symptoms can be vague, meaning they can be missed in the initial stages. It often isn’t diagnosed until it has reached an advanced stage.
Doctor Harpreet Sarna, chief medical officer at Vitality, urged people to be aware of some of the potential warning signs. He said: “Pancreatic cancer is often described as a ‘silent disease’ because its symptoms are subtle and non-specific, meaning they can be mistaken for other, more common medical conditions.
“As a result, it can be quite difficult to diagnose the disease in its early stages; however, there are some common signs that people should pay attention to, as they can help to make a diagnosis quicker, which is crucial with any cancer.” He highlighted one particular symptom that could be dismissed as something else – ongoing back pain.
The NHS explains that this might feel “worse” when you’re eating or lying down and better when you lean forward. Dr Sarna continued: “These symptoms include ongoing pain in the upper abdomen or back, unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, and jaundice, which is characterised by a yellowing of the skin or eyes.
“Equally, changes in digestion, such as persistent bloating, nausea, or pale and greasy stools, can all indicate a problem with the pancreas. Other symptoms which could indicate pancreatic cancer include ongoing indigestion, unexplained tiredness, or sudden-onset diabetes.”
When to see a doctor
Dr Sarna advised that you should seek medical help if:
- Your symptoms are sudden
- Your symptoms persist for more than a couple of weeks
- Multiple symptoms appear at the same time
He added: “Because many of these symptoms are similar to those caused by much more common conditions, it’s easy to put them down to diet, stress, or just getting older. However, if they appear out of the blue, persist for more than a couple of weeks, or if multiple symptoms occur together, it’s important to get them checked by your GP, who will put you in touch with a specialist if they suspect cancer.”