Categories: Health

7 Warning Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer You Shouldn’t Ignore

Your pancreas secretes enzymes that aid digestion and hormones that help regulate the metabolism of sugars.

This type of cancer arises when cells in the pancreas begin to multiply out of control and form a mass. These cancerous cells have the ability to invade other parts of the body.

Typically, it first spreads to nearby lymph nodes, and later to the liver, large intestine or lungs. It is uncommon for it to spread to the bones or brain.

Pancreatic cancer typically spreads rapidly which is a major reason why it’s a leading cause of cancer death.

7 Warning Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer

Signs and symptoms of the most common form of pancreatic cancer may include:

1. Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes – Jaundice develops when there is a build-up in the blood of a substance called bilirubin.
2. Abdominal or back pain – At first the pain may come and go, but over time it may become more constant.
3. Unexplained weight loss – Losing a lot of weight for no particular reason can be a sign that something is wrong.
4. Light-colored stools
5. Dark urine
6. Loss of appetite
7. Blood clots

Pancreatic cancer doesn’t usually give rise to any symptoms or signs in the early stages. This is the main reason why it can be so difficult to detect and diagnose.

It is important to remember that any of the symptoms described here are common for lots of illnesses and may not be a sign of pancreatic cancer.

If you have persistent unexplained symptoms, see your doctor to refer you for tests to explore what is causing them.