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This type of cancer results in the highest mortality of all its forms. It is very difficult to detect in the early stage, when there is still a great chance to catch it in time and choose the right and effective treatment. In the article you will find the symptoms you should notice.
As we age, we all become wiser. We can tell when a headache or fever is coming. Women are also able to detect when menstruation, a change in the weather, or an infection in the intimate area will occur. But what about the pancreas? Would you recognize cancer in its early stage by the symptoms?
We know we have a pancreas, but inflammations can have fatal consequences
The pancreas is an organ we know we have, but we don’t particularly take care of it or pay attention to it. Everyone knows what its function is – digesting food and controlling blood sugar levels. Only when problems arise might you start gathering more information about the pancreas. At the moment problems begin, the pancreas can affect the whole body.
Pancreatic cancer most often occurs in people over sixty, but it can appear in younger people as well. This form of cancer most often kills because people don’t notice the symptoms in time. The pancreas is located inside the body, it is only 15 centimeters long, so it is difficult to see changes. The more you know your body, the easier it is to recognize that something is wrong with it.
Watch your body and pay attention to small details
If the whites of your eyes or your skin turn yellow, that is not a good sign. These symptoms can also indicate other diseases related to alcohol and liver failure. If it is the pancreas, a tumor will put pressure on the bile duct, and therefore it cannot transfer bile from the liver and gallbladder through the pancreas into the small intestine. Increased bilirubin leads to jaundice.
Have you been washing your clothes the same way for years, you’re not allergic to anything, but suddenly your skin itches? Be alert, because this can indicate the onset of pancreatic cancer. Itching occurs even before your skin starts to yellow. Also pay attention to the color of your urine. If it is dark, brownish, it may be a sign of dehydration. But it is also an early sign of jaundice. Increase your fluid intake, and if nothing changes, see a doctor.
Other symptoms include:
- Unexplained stomach pain
- Loss of appetite, smaller portions than usual
- Unexpected weight loss associated with loss of appetite
- Pain in the lower back area
Women in particular may suffer from bloating or a swollen abdomen. In the premenstrual phase this is normal, but if such a condition appears and lasts for several days, it is a reason for concern. It is not common for a woman to look pregnant if she really isn’t. Pancreatic cancer grows and presses on surrounding organs, which then enlarge the abdomen. Bloating is one of the first symptoms.
