What people don’t know is that pancreatic cancer is the most dangerous and aggressive of its kind. The Hirschberg Foundation found after research that pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of death primarily related to cancer in the United States.
It is said that 91 percent of patients, within 5 years of diagnosis, will die from this aggressive form of cancer.
It is not easy for a doctor to discover this type of cancer, because the symptoms appear late. Despite the seriousness of the matter, as soon as a person suspects the existence of a problem, he can begin treatment to significantly improve the result.
Below, you will find 13 symptoms in pancreatic cancer patients that require a visit to the doctor.
1. Yellowing of the Skin
As claimed by Reader’s Digest, it is mainly known as jaundice, the latter is one of the most common symptoms of pancreatic cancer. Yellow hues are also noticed in the eyes.
The reason is that this type of cancer blocks the bile duct that is building up in the system because the bile does not reach the intestine. You may notice this on your skin or eyes, and constant itching may occur as well.
2. Lower Back Pain
Something is expected that several things make a person feel pain in the lower back, such as carrying heavy things, or buying foodstuffs and their surroundings and taking them to the trunk of the car. All of the above may cause back pain, but if the cause is not clear, then this may be a sign of serious pancreatic cancer.
Another important matter, Women’s health has demonstrated that a pancreatic tumor causes pain, as it can put pressure on the muscles of the back and lower spine. It may be a slight pain, but still, there may be cramps in the menstrual cycle. But if the matter increases, you should go for an examination.
3. Oral Health Issues
According to Readers, the mouth can show you how healthy you are. If the person suffers from pancreatic cancer, he may notice an unpleasant odor in the mouth or inflammation of the gums or even the teeth. In summary, the report indicated that pancreatic cancer patients are the most vulnerable to various gum and dental diseases, and poor oral health in general.
Researchers from NYU Langone Medical Center confirm that 59% of participants who have oral bacteria compatible with gum disease are highly indicative of pancreatic cancer. Unlike the participants, they did not show any signs of bacteria. Although this factor is more dangerous than a symptom, in the end it is more important for immediate treatment.
4. Loss of Interest in Food
The magazine of Women’s Health notes that decreased appetite is an early symptom of pancreatic cancer, and it is a negative sign in most cases. People with decreased appetite do not crave food as well as they usually do, and this may indicate this type of cancer.
Another clue that loss of appetite is a result of pancreatic cancer is the unwillingness to eat your favorite dessert, as your stomach upsets and you want to vomit. As a result, the constant pressure on the surrounding organs, the most important of which is the stomach. It happens like this, as it sends a false feeling of satiety and causes pain with every attempt to eat. While it will try to prevent you from not eating every time.
There is a study that says that green tea helps fight this dangerous cancer.
5. Dropping Weight
Who among us is not overjoyed at noticing a lower weight, but in some cases, this does not bode well, as it may be due to a fatal disease. At least if you have not started changing your diet, or are trying to lift your weight and increase your activity level, it has become necessary to pay attention.
The Magazine of Women’s Health links that loss of appetite and lack of interest in favorite foods seriously leads to weight loss, all due to pancreatic cancer. The most dangerous thing is to lose 5 percent of the weight in six months or more, despite your eating normally, this requires a visit to the doctor.
6. Developing Diabetes
As part of talking about the symptoms of pancreatic cancer, there is a factor for each symptom. For example, if a patient is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, he must be very careful about other health problems that may afflict him without knowing. According to Reader’s Digest, according to the Mayo Clinic study, 40 percent of diabetic patients were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer sometime after they had diabetes.
This study provided a set of clues that the pancreas is most responsible for producing insulin. Therefore, the ability of the pancreas to produce insulin in the early stages of the tumor is affected, which causes diabetes. So, early diagnosis will help in treatment.
7. Feeling Sick to Your Stomach
Nausea may occur if you eat a bad crab cake or if you have stomach flu, but it will not last for long. Therefore, most of the time a person feels nauseous if he is ill or because of pregnancy, but in the absence of the cause, an investigation must be carried out.
According to Reader’s Digest, a blockage can occur when cancer presses on the stomach, making it difficult to retain food and causing nausea. And worse, could happen.
8. Prolonged Bloating
According to Women’s Health, feeling bloated is normal. But the person finds that he has swelled as if she is a pregnant woman in her fourth month. This indicates, however, that it is a warning sign of pancreatic cancer. And she adds that eating fatty meals causes bloating and this is normal, but if the matter exceeds its limit for days, it is dangerous.
Confirms that cancerous tumors grow and this is what causes swelling in the abdomen. This is more what attracts the patient’s attention in some cases. It may not be pancreatic cancer, but if such a change is observed, the cause must be found.
9. Blood Clots
According to Prevention.com, the people most prone to blood clots are those with pancreatic cancer, which can cause serious health problems. He also explains that the specialists do not yet know the reason for the relationship between strokes and pancreatic cancer. But it is possible that the cancer cells are the ones that reduce the proteins that are mainly used to prevent blood clots.
But this may be the result of dangerous genetic causes for blood clots, it may be due to another reason such as surgery, etc. But if any of these causes do not match with blood clots, the patient must visit a doctor.
10. Enlargement of Gallbladder or Liver
According to the American Cancer Society says, although you may not notice some symptoms yourself, your doctor may discover that you have an enlarged gallbladder due to a blockage occurring in the duct (bile).
When the patient goes to see a doctor, during the imaging test, the doctor might discover a large lump under the right side of the rib cage. The most dangerous thing about this is that pancreatic cancer causes an enlarged liver, especially if cancer has spread to the liver.
11. Abnormal Fatty Tissue
Suncoast Cancer Institute explains that uneven layers of fat may be observed directly below the surface of the skin, which is called an adipose tissue abnormality.
The reason for this unusual tissue is pancreatic enzymes that break down fat. She emphasized that this symptom is very common among pancreatic cancer patients.