Warning signs of pancreatic cancer

Top 8 warning symptoms of pancreatic cancer

Yellow skin or eyes

 Cancerous tumors that start near the top of the pancreas can block the bile duct, which builds up and causes yellowing of the skin or eyes.

According to Reader's Digest, Christopher DiMaio, a gastroenterologist at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York (USA), says jaundice is one of the most obvious signs of pancreatic cancer. Cancerous tumors that start near the top of the pancreas can block the bile duct, preventing bile from reaching the intestines, where it helps break down fat and eventually leaving the body in the stool. This bile builds up and causes yellowing of the skin or eyes. According to the American Cancer Society, this condition can also make your skin itchy.

Abdominal or back pain

Because the pancreas is located in the abdomen behind the stomach, a common symptom of pancreatic cancer is a dull ache in the stomach as it presses on the organ. According to Pancreatic Cancer UK, this is a symptom that occurs in around 70% of cases of pancreatic cancer. If the cancer spreads to the nerves around the pancreas, this can cause back pain.

Dark urine

Urine that begins to turn dark (brown or rusty) can be a sign of pancreatic cancer. This is because bilirubin, a substance made by the liver that makes up part of bile, builds up in the blood, giving urine a dark color. In addition, clay-colored or greasy stools can also be a sign of pancreatic cancer, which can be caused by cancer blocking the bile duct.

Feeling nauseous or vomiting

Pancreatic cancer pressing on the stomach can cause partial obstruction, leading to nausea and vomiting.

According to the American Cancer Society, pancreatic cancer that presses on the stomach can cause a partial blockage, making it difficult for food to pass through. This can lead to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and pain that tend to be worse after eating.

Flatulence

The feeling of bloating can be caused by direct pressure on the stomach or by decreased secretion of digestive enzymes caused by pancreatic cancer. If you experience this condition often, instead of self-medicating, you should see your doctor for a careful examination.

Sudden rise in blood sugar

According to Best Life magazine, diabetes usually develops in young people or the 40-60 age group. Hyperglycemia and the development of new-onset diabetes in the elderly, especially after the age of 65, are among the symptoms that indicate the development of pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer may cause diabetes to start suddenly by destroying cells that make insulin, causing blood sugar to rise, researchers at Johns Hopkins University say.

Weight loss

 There are a number of different reasons why weight loss can signal pancreatic cancer

Significant weight loss without diet or physical activity is one of the common symptoms of pancreatic cancer. According to the Mayo Clinic, a number of different reasons why weight loss can signal pancreatic cancer. As cancer progresses, it drains your body of energy, causing you to lose weight. When a tumor presses on your stomach, it can make you feel full or make it difficult to eat. Also, when it's not working properly, the pancreas doesn't make enough of the digestive juices it needs to help the body process nutrients in the first place.

Have a dental problem?

If your mouth has a foul odor, inflamed gums, or loose teeth, it may not be due to poor hygiene. According to researchers from NYU Langone Medical Center, pancreatic cancer patients are known to be prone to gum disease, tooth decay, and poor oral health. The presence of the same bacteria linked to oral diseases such as periodontitis (inflammation of the gums) put patients at a 59 percent higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer than those without bacteria.