shippingposition
  • Home
  • News
  • Editorial
    • Vox Pop
  • Maritime safety
  • Oil and Gas
  • Personality
  • Health
No Result
View All Result
shippingposition

Home » Five Early Warning Signs Of Pancreatic Cancer That Could Save A Life

Five Early Warning Signs Of Pancreatic Cancer That Could Save A Life

by sam
May 8, 2023
in Health

Pancreatic cancer has been dubbed a ‘silent killer’ due to how easy it is to overlook the symptoms.

While the death rates of many cancers have dramatically decreased over time, the survival rates for pancreatic cancer are uniquely low.

Part of the problem is that most diagnoses happen after the cancer has already metastasized, or spread. Just 13 per cent of cases are confined to their primary site, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

Cancers like this are difficult to catch in the initial stages as symptoms such as stomach pain and bowel troubles are easily missed or could be attributed to other health problems.

A 2022 survey by the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network found that 83 per cent of adults are unaware of the signs of the disease. Though there is no standard screening method for pancreatic cancer, experts stress that spotting the early symptoms could save lives.

These are five of the early warning signs of the disease:

Jaundice

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

It’s caused by the build-up a bilirubin, a yellowish-brown substance made by the liver. The liver releases bile, a fluid meant to aid digestion, which contains bilirubin.

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

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

This happens because the pancreas is close to the body’s common bile duct, so tumours press on the duct, even when they are still small and undetectable on scans.

However, tumours on 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 metastasize to the liver.

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

Stomach Pain

Cancers that initially form in the body or lower parts of the pancreas can quickly grow large, pressing 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 per cent of patients experience this pain at the time of diagnosis.

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

Back Pain

Pain may also radiate from the stomach to the back.

This pain is most often localised to the mid-back, or just below the shoulder blades.

It may also reach the shoulders.

Similar to stomach pain, this is most common when tumours are found in the tail of the pancreas, or the lowest part.

This pain also tends to worsen when lying down or just after eating, like stomach 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 is often an indication in general that something is medically wrong.

Malignant cells can also sap the body’s nutrients, which means a patient needs more calories. If the patient isn’t getting a necessary amount of calories, they’re more likely to lose weight.

Floating Stools

Unusual changes in bowel movements could be a sign of pancreatic cancer.

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

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

Not enough bile in stools could be an indication of bile acid malabsorption. When bile isn’t properly absorbed, it causes chemical imbalances.

If a tumour blocks the pancreatic duct, insufficient nutrients from the pancreas could lead to poor absorption and diarrhoea since undigested food passes through the digestive tract too quickly.

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

Follow us on Facebook/ twitter


Related Posts

KNOW YOUR BODY PARTS: THE HEART

KNOW YOUR BODY PARTS: THE HEART

June 30, 2025
Why Your Favourite Seasoning Cubes May Be Hurting Your Kidneys

Why Your Favourite Seasoning Cubes May Be Hurting Your Kidneys

June 30, 2025
Contraceptive Pills Can’t Cause Cervical Cancer – Expert

Contraceptive Pills Can’t Cause Cervical Cancer – Expert

June 30, 2025
ONIONS: The Good Old Healing Vegetable

KNOW YOUR BODY PARTS: The Liver

June 16, 2025

Latest News

NPA Bags NASS PAC Transparency Award

NPA Bags NASS PAC Transparency Award

July 12, 2025

Nigeria Customs Says Claim Of Form ‘M’ Migration Charges False

CRFFN Showcases Reform Milestones, Dismisses Court Ruling Misinterpretation

NCMDLCA Faction Distances Self from Amiwero’s Court Action, Backs CRFFN on POF Collection

Customs Intercepts ₦9.2bn Worth of Fake Bedroom Booster, Others

Customs, NAFDAC Inaugurate Implementation Committee for 2024 MoU

Nigeria Customs Intercepts Container with Over 10,000 Donkey Genitals

Senate Hails Adeniyi’s Election as WCO Council Chair, Says It’s  a Major Win for Nigeria’s Global Trade Leadership

Oyetola Launches Door-to-Door’ Diplomacy for Nigeria’s IMO Council Bid

FG Urged To Link Warri-Itakpe Rail To Inland Ports, Road Networks

Red Sea Operation Rescues 4 More From Cargo Ship Sunk By Houthis

Shippers’ Council Set to Establish Border Information Centre at Idiroko, Bolster Trade Efficiency

kindly like our Facebook page

Health

Contraceptive Pills Can’t Cause Cervical Cancer – Expert
Health

Contraceptive Pills Can’t Cause Cervical Cancer – Expert

June 30, 2025

Mrs Roseline Akinlabi, Adolescent and Youth Sexual Reproductive Health Desk Officer, Osun Primary Healthcare Board, says contraceptive pills cannot cause...

ONIONS: The Good Old Healing Vegetable

KNOW YOUR BODY PARTS: The Liver

June 16, 2025
ONIONS: The Good Old Healing Vegetable

ONIONS: The Good Old Healing Vegetable

June 16, 2025
Why Prostate Disorder Cases Are Increasing Among Nigerian Men – Experts

Why Prostate Disorder Cases Are Increasing Among Nigerian Men – Experts

June 1, 2025
20m Nigerians Live With Mental Health Issues, Says WHO

20m Nigerians Live With Mental Health Issues, Says WHO

June 1, 2025
Health Facts You Didn’t Know

How Your Habit Affects Fertility

May 19, 2025
Fruits For Raining Season

Fruits For Raining Season

May 19, 2025
See Mental Illness Like Other Treatable Diseases – Says Suicide Survivor

Health Facts You Didn’t Know

May 19, 2025
Alligator Pepper: Benefits, FAQ, Side Effects, & Warning

Alligator Pepper: Benefits, FAQ, Side Effects, & Warning

April 28, 2025
Water And Health: The Relationship That Helps Life

Water And Health: The Relationship That Helps Life

April 28, 2025

© 2021 Shippingposition

Navigate Site

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Terms

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Coast To Coast
  • Oil and Gas
  • Maritime Education
  • The Terminals
  • Maritime safety

© 2021 Shippingposition