An expert has shared two warning signs that could mean pancreatic cancer, which is often known as a “silent disease”.
The cancer has one of the lowest 10 year survival rates of any cancer and according to Cancer Research UK, just 5% of people with the disease survive for more than a decade after diagnosis. Pancreatic cancer was once again brought into the spotlight by the recent death of Jerry Springer, who had been diagnosed with the disease just months earlier.
Due to the disease’s mortality rate, knowing the symptoms, even those one might miss, is crucial.
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Researchers have identified two unrecognised early symptoms that people can look out for and will help doctors better diagnose the disease, the Mirror reports.
Both yellowing of the skin (jaundice) and bleeding in the stomach or intestine were seen as the two most serious symptoms associated with the disease. Experts have found two other lesser-known and unrecognised warning signs of pancreatic cancer are increased thirst and dark yellow urine.
These symptoms were identified in a study last year.
Dr Weiqi Liao, data scientist at the University of Oxford, said: "When pancreatic cancer is diagnosed earlier, patients have a higher chance of survival. It is possible to diagnose patients when they visit their GP, but both patients and GPs need to be aware of the symptoms associated with pancreatic cancer.”
Dr Pippa Corrie, of the NCRI Upper Gastrointestinal Group and Consultant Medical Oncologist at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, added: “Being aware of the early symptoms of pancreatic cancer is crucial if we are to diagnose patients earlier and improve pancreatic cancer survival.
“This research could help GPs and their patients know more about the signs of pancreatic cancer. It’s vital that people speak to their GP if they notice these symptoms.”
Pancreatic cancer symptoms
There were a long list of other symptoms that were also found in the study last year. They included:
- Problems swallowing
- Diarrhoea
- Change in bowel habits
- Vomiting
- Indigestion
- Abdominal mass
- Abdominal pain
- Weight loss
- Constipation
- Fat in stool
- Abdominal swelling
- Nausea
- Flatulence
- Heartburn
- Fever
- Tiredness
- Appetite loss
- Itching
- Back pain
Pancreatic cancer is more likely for those aged over 75 and is not common for people under 40, according to the NHS.
People can reduce their chances of getting the cancer by cutting down on red and processed meat, not being overweight, not smoking and drinking less alcohol.
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