Pancreatic cancer has one of the highest mortality rates of all cancers. Knowing the symptoms, including these 10 hard-to-detect signs, could save your life! 1\/12 Focus on the pancreas.
The pancreas is one of those organs you probably don\u2019t think about much\u2026 15 cm long and hidden behind the stomach, its main role is to help you digest food and control your blood sugar levels. Normally, it works seamlessly behind the scenes. But when things go wrong, it can affect the entire body. According to the French National Cancer Institute (INCa), there are approximately 14,000 new cases of pancreatic cancer each year in France. Its mortality rate is particularly high, with nearly 12,000 deaths per year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2\/12 Pancreatic Cancer
On average, five years after diagnosis, only 10% of patients are still alive, making pancreatic cancer one of the cancers with the lowest survival rates. Why? Primarily because it is very difficult to detect at an early stage. However, it is only treatable if diagnosed early enough. Pancreatic cancer is the most common type of cancer in people over 60 (although it has also been diagnosed in people in their twenties and thirties). \u201cIt is therefore important to know the symptoms of this disease and not wait until they become serious before seeking medical help,\u201d warns Anton Bilchik, an oncological surgeon in the United States, speaking to Women\u2019s Health. Here are 10 hard-to-detect signs that could save your life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3\/12 Your eyes and skin are yellow.
Yellowing of the whites of the eyes and skin is never a good sign. It can be a sign of various health problems such as alcoholism, liver failure, and pancreatic cancer. Indeed, \u201cmany pancreatic tumors begin in the head of the pancreas, which is located near the bile ducts,\u201d explains Anton Bilchik. Even small tumors can put pressure on and block the bile duct, which is supposed to carry bile from the liver and gallbladder to the small intestine via the pancreas. One of bile\u2019s functions is to remove bilirubin, a normal waste product of red blood cells. When it can\u2019t do its job, the excess bilirubin causes jaundice and yellow eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4\/12 You look four months pregnant.
While it\u2019s normal to have a bloated stomach after a large meal, it\u2019s not normal if it lasts for several days. \u201cAs pancreatic tumors grow, they can cause abdominal distension,\u201d says the doctor. \u201cIt\u2019s one of the first signs people notice, but they don\u2019t call their doctor because they think it\u2019s just bloating.\u201d But it\u2019s worth getting checked out, he says. It\u2019s probably not cancer, but it could be (ovarian cancer also lists bloating among its early symptoms). You know what they say: prevention is better than cure! 5\/12 Even your favorite dessert makes you want to throw up.
Loss of appetite is another early indicator of pancreatic cancer. \u201cWhen tumors develop in the abdomen, they can put pressure on surrounding organs, including the stomach,\u201d explains Anton Bilchik. As a result, you feel full even if you haven\u2019t eaten for hours and you often experience nausea. Eating can even be painful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6\/12 You\u2019re losing weight unintentionally.
This loss of appetite can easily lead to rapid weight loss. For example, it represents, on average, a loss of more than 5% of body weight within six months to a year. \u201cIf you can\u2019t explain your recent and rapid weight loss by another reason, you should consult a doctor,\u201d advises the surgeon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7\/12 You have terrible lower back pain.
When a pancreatic tumor develops, it puts pressure not only on internal organs but also on the lower spine and back muscles, causing constant, dull pain. Because of menstrual cramps, women are used to experiencing lower back pain regularly. So, how can you tell if it\u2019s due to premenstrual syndrome, too many hours at the gym, or something serious like pancreatic cancer? \u201cIf the pain is constant (that is, it doesn\u2019t go away at the end of your period), you should get it checked out,\u201d the expert recommends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
8\/12 Your urine looks more like tea.
Dark urine is a sign of dehydration, but it\u2019s also often the first sign of jaundice that people notice. \u201cBecause the tumor causes a decrease in bile excretion and an increase in bilirubin levels in the blood, the urine turns brown,\u201d according to the American Cancer Society. \u201cIf increasing your water intake doesn\u2019t bring your urine back to its usual light yellow color, it\u2019s time to get checked out. Jaundice is an early sign of pancreatic cancer,\u201d says Anton Bilchik.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
9\/12 You Can\u2019t Stop Scratching:
Generalized itching is perhaps one of the least known early symptoms of jaundice and pancreatic cancer. \u201cThe buildup of bilirubin in the skin can cause itching even before it turns yellow. I\u2019ve seen patients come in and say, \u2018It itches terribly here,\u2019 and when they lifted their shirt, they saw that it was turning yellow,\u201d says the doctor. If you can\u2019t attribute your itching to other possible causes, such as insect bites or an allergic reaction, and no lotion provides relief, see a doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
10\/12 Your stools are strange.
Grayish, pale, or greasy stools are a sign of poor health, including pancreatic cancer. Again, this is due to bilirubin. It is normally excreted by the intestines in stool and gives fecal matter its characteristic dark brown color. But when there isn\u2019t enough bile because a tumor is blocking it, \u201cbilirubin remains in the body instead of being eliminated in the stool. This can change the color and texture of your stool,\u201d explains the ACS. A pancreatic tumor is a likely cause, but there are others: liver disease or a gastrointestinal infection. In any case, they aren\u2019t good either, so don\u2019t hesitate to call your doctor if your stool is consistently pale or floats in the toilet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
11\/12 You have stomach pain for no apparent reason.
Making a doctor\u2019s appointment to complain of simple stomach pains may seem irrational, but this type of unspecified pain can be an early symptom of pancreatic cancer, according to Anton Bilchik. Because the pancreas is located in the lower back of the abdomen, behind the stomach, a tumor in this area can cause subtle and persistent stomach pain, regardless of what you\u2019ve eaten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
12\/12 You just don\u2019t feel well.
While some signs of pancreatic cancer are obvious and specific, others are much less so. But to detect the disease early, you need to pay attention to even the most vague symptoms, including a general feeling of being unwell and malaise that lasts more than a week or two and isn\u2019t related to another obvious cause, such as the flu. Remember, it\u2019s always better to get checked and find out you have nothing wrong than to miss something crucial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Interior Tiles . Cookie Management. Trends. Marie France. Marie France. Closer. Sports.fr. Join our community by subscribing to our Newsletter! To stay up-to-date with the latest Practical Life news and the latest youth trends. 4\/12 You look 4 months pregnant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While it\u2019s normal to have a bloated stomach after a large meal, it\u2019s not the case if it lasts for several days. \u201cAs pancreatic tumors grow, they can cause abdominal distension,\u201d says the doctor. \u201cIt\u2019s one of the first signs people notice, but they don\u2019t call their doctor because they think it\u2019s just bloating.\u201d But it\u2019s worth getting checked out, he believes. It\u2019s probably not cancer, but it could be (ovarian cancer also lists bloating among its early symptoms). You know what they say: prevention is better than cure!
5\/12 Even your favorite dessert makes you want to throw up.
Loss of appetite is another early indicator of pancreatic cancer. \u201cWhen tumors grow in the abdomen, they can put pressure on surrounding organs, including the stomach,\u201d says Anton Bilchik. The result: you feel full even if you haven\u2019t eaten for hours, and you often feel nauseous. Eating can even be painful.
6\/12 You\u2019re losing weight unintentionally.
This loss of appetite can easily lead to rapid weight loss. For example, it represents, on average, a loss of more than 5% of body weight within six months to a year. \u201cIf you can\u2019t explain your recent and rapid weight loss by another reason, you should consult a doctor,\u201d advises the surgeon.
7\/12 You have excruciating lower back pain.
When a pancreatic tumor develops, it puts pressure not only on internal organs but also on the lower spine and back muscles, causing constant, dull pain. Because of menstrual cramps, women are used to experiencing lower back pain regularly. So how can you tell if these symptoms are due to premenstrual syndrome, too many hours spent at the gym, or something serious like pancreatic cancer? \u201cIf the pain is constant (that is, it doesn\u2019t go away at the end of your period), you should get it checked out,\u201d the expert recommends.
8\/12 Your urine looks more like tea.
Dark urine is a sign of dehydration, but it\u2019s also often the first sign of jaundice that people notice. \u201cBecause the tumor causes a decrease in bile excretion and an increase in bilirubin levels in the blood, the urine takes on a brown color,\u201d according to the American Cancer Society.\u201dIf increasing your water intake does not bring your urine back to its usual light yellow color, it\u2019s time to get checked out. Jaundice is an early sign of pancreatic cancer,\u201d says Anton Bilchik.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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