What Are the Hidden Signs of Pancreatic Cancer? Here’s What You Should Look For
Did you know that pancreatic cancer is often referred to as a ”silent killer”? The problem with this condition is that it develops without any clear signs and symptoms in the early stages. Unfortunately, the warning signs of pancreatic cancer are often very vague and the condition is considered one of the most deadly and difficult-to-diagnose cancers in the world.
The pancreas has an important role in our bodies, regulating blood sugar by producing digestive enzymes and insulin. If the cancer strikes this vital organ, most of the time, it goes unnoticed until it develops to an advanced stage. Sometimes the symptoms are subtle, while other times are absent. The disease is really challenging.
In the United States, this type of cancer has one of the highest mortality rates, mainly because of the late diagnosis. So, keep in mind that early detection of any changes in the way your body works is crucial. By recognizing potential warning signs early on, you will be able to seek medical attention before the cancer develops to a terminal stage.
Pay close attention to specific symptoms that could be related to pancreatic cancer, especially if they persist or even worsen over time.Â
7 Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms and Signs You Should Know
1. Pain in the back
Pain in the back is usually not worrying, but unfortunately, there are times when it can signal serious health issues. So, if you are experiencing back pain that is getting worse as the days pass by, make sure to see your doctor and investigate the problem. Listen to what your body is trying to tell you.
There are also times when doctors underestimate the dangers of a health issue and tend to treat the symptoms and avoid double-checking what is causing them. You should be a step forward and know about the early symptoms of a dangerous health condition. For example, you can understand that something is not working as it should once you localize the pain spot.
2. Stomach pain
Are you experiencing severe stomach pain? Don’t ignore it and make sure you make an appointment for a checkup as soon as possible. If you are dealing with a tumor, around the pancreas, pain in the abdomen is completely normal. Depending on where the tumor is located, it might be pushing against nerves or even blocking the digestive tract.
Stomach pain is another symptom that we usually overlook. We eat all kinds of dishes and most of the time not take proper care of our digestive tract. Unfortunately, our days are busy and there are a lot of tasks that need to be done. So, eating outside increases the likelihood of dealing with stomach issues.
Be honest! When was the last time you cooked at home? When our schedule gets busy, we tend to opt to eat outside or order some fast food. We all do that. So, basically, we are overlooking our digestive health, which can easily lead to discomfort. However, if the symptoms persist for too long, it might be a sign of something more serious going on.
3. Bloating
Bloating is often overlooked. We don’t take bloating seriously until it causes other symptoms, such as pain or changes in the digestive system. As you can see, a lot of symptoms that tend to be considered insignificant can, in reality, be signs of real problems.
If you are the kind of person who gets easily bloated, you should be extra careful about what your body is trying to tell you. Constantly dealing with bloating might make you think that it is completely normal. However, even though it might not be the case to panic, make sure to be extra cautious if you experience anything different than usual.
4. Losing weight
Weight loss can have a lot of causes, but it is scary when it happens and you don’t know why. Usually, people are always struggling to lose weight. It can be a very frustrating process because those extra pounds are very stubborn. Many Americans end up eating even more after trying to lose weight and not seeing any results.
Unfortunately, the stress we have to deal with daily has a huge importance in the weight loss process. We have so many tasks that need to be rapidly done, and end up taking our health for granted.
So, in case you are losing weight even if you don’t want to and you are not even trying, you should immediately see a doctor. Sudden weight loss is not normal and you should take action as soon as this kind of symptoms appear.
5. Your skin and eyes look yellow
If your skin and eyes become yellowish, is often a sign that something is not working well inside your body. It’s one of the signs that let you know you should react immediately before it’s too late. This condition is known as jaundice and usually occurs when the yellow pigment is produced when the liver breaks down old red blood cells.
Even though jaundice can be associated with a variety of conditions, it becomes extremely concerning when is combined with other symptoms such as abdominal pain or weight loss.
In the case of pancreatic cancer, jaundice is one of the most important signs, because it shows the cancer may be blocking the bile duct and prevent bilirubin from being processed correctly. The blockage is the one that leads to the yellowing of the skin.
6. You were recently diagnosed with diabetes
A recent diagnosis of diabetes can be overwhelming because it usually comes with a lot of other problems. It’s essential to understand the broader implications of the condition, especially if it’s combined with other symptoms.
Type 2 diabetes usually occurs when the body either does not produce enough insulin or becomes resistant to it. Diabetes is a manageable condition, and a lot of Americans are dealing with it, but keep in mind that its presence can signal other underlying health problems.
For example, newly diagnosed diabetes could be a strong indicator of pancreatic cancer. As you know, the pancreas is responsible for producing insulin, so its dysfunction can lead to insulin imbalances.
7. Blood clots
As you already know, blood clots are scary and are often considered a serious health issue. When they occur without any obvious cause, they indicate even more concerning problems, pancreatic cancer is one of the possibilities.
Usually, blood clots form in response to injury. Still, some unexplained types of blood clots are caused by deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE), which can be serious signs of certain cancers, including pancreatic cancer.
But why is there a strong association between blood clot formation and cancer? Well, it happens because the body reacts to the presence of the tumor. When the cancer grows, it causes changes in the blood and increases the risks of clot formation. The problem with clots is that they usually travel to other sides of the body, including the lungs, so they cause many life-threatening conditions.
Before leaving, you should also know that Vitamin D is one of the best ways you can fight against pancreatic problems because it exerts anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic activities. Here is one of the best brands, and it can be found on Amazon. Check it out!
Are you interested in learning more about health? You should also read: Skin and Soul: What Skin Conditions Reveal About Your Inner World
