The early warning signs of ‘silent killer’ pancreatic cancer that could save a life

Talk show legend Jerry Springer has passed away at the age of 79, just a few months after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer – one of the most deadly forms of the disease.

Pancreatic cancer has been called a “silent killer” because it’s so easy to overlook the symptoms. Although death rates from many cancers have dropped dramatically over time, pancreatic cancer survival rates are still alarmingly high.

Part of the problem is that most diagnoses are made after the cancer has already metastasized or metastasized. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), only 13 percent of cases are confined to their primary location.

Cancers such as these are difficult to catch in the early stages, as symptoms such as stomach pain and intestinal problems are easily overlooked or attributed to other health problems.

A 2022 study by the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network found that 83 percent of adults are unaware of the signs of the disease. While there is no standard screening method for pancreatic cancer, experts emphasize that noticing the early symptoms can save lives.

Jaundice

Jaundice, the yellowing of the skin and eyes, is one of the most common early symptoms of pancreatic cancer.

It is caused by the buildup of bilirubin, a yellow-brown substance produced by the liver. The liver releases bile, a fluid intended to aid digestion that contains bilirubin.

In normal liver function, bile moves through ducts to the intestine and helps to break down fats.

However, when the bile ducts become blocked, bilirubin builds up, causing the skin and eyes to turn yellow.

This happens because the pancreas is close to the bile duct of the body, so tumors press on the bile duct even when they are small and cannot be detected on scans.

However, tumors in the lower part of the pancreas do not press on the duct until they have spread throughout the organ, which happens in the later stages of the disease.

Pancreatic cancer can also spread to the liver.

Other signs of jaundice include dark urine, light-colored or greasy stools, and itchy skin.

The National Cancer Institute estimates that just over 44 percent of pancreatic cancer patients survive more than five years if the condition is still localized to the area of ​​origin

Most cases of pancreatic cancer are diagnosed once the disease has already spread to multiple other organs. At that point, the condition becomes much more difficult to treat

Stomach ache

Cancers that initially form in the body or in lower parts of the pancreas can quickly grow large and press on nearby organs.

This cancer also presses on the nerves around those organs.

One of the nearby organs is the stomach.

The Pancreatic Action Network estimates that about 70 percent of patients experience this pain at the time of diagnosis.

It may come and go at first, getting worse as you lie down or eat. As tumors grow, the pain may become more constant and last longer.

Backache

Pain can also radiate from the abdomen to the back.

This pain is usually located in the middle of the back or just below the shoulder blades.

It can also reach the shoulders.

Similar to abdominal pain, this is most common when tumors are found in the tail of the pancreas, or lower part.

This pain also tends to worsen when lying down or just after eating, like abdominal pain.

Sudden weight loss

People with pancreatic cancer may have little to no appetite.

The suppressed appetite may be caused by a lack of functional pancreatic enzymes, which help break down fats, carbohydrates and proteins.

This can cause unintentional weight loss, which in general is often an indication that something is wrong medically.

Malignant cells can also deplete the body’s nutrients, meaning a patient needs more calories. If the patient does not consume the necessary amount of calories, he is more likely to lose weight.

Floating stools

Unusual changes in bowel habits can be a sign of pancreatic cancer.

While this happens after sudden dietary changes, such as adding foods like broccoli, beans, and lentils to your diet, floating stools can be associated with a lack of bile.

The liver makes this to filter waste such as toxins and excess cholesterol.

Not enough bile in the stool can be an indication of bile acid malabsorption. When bile is not absorbed properly, it causes chemical imbalances.

If a tumor blocks the pancreatic duct, insufficient nutrients from the pancreas can lead to malabsorption and diarrhea as undigested food passes through the digestive tract too quickly.

This results in the stool containing too much fat, causing it to float or appear greasy or pale.