10 Early Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer You Must Watch For

10 early symptoms of pancreatic cancer

Unfortunately, pancreatic cancer won’t show any early symptoms in the initial stages in the patients. The signs typically show up when the tumors start to impact other organs in the digestive system. The cancer starts to spread to other distant organs; this process is generally known as metastasis. 

Upper abdominal pain

Experiencing any kind of dull or aching pain in the upper abdomen or middle back is often considered a sign of pancreatic cancer. If you experience this kind of discomfort, it may often come and go. Sometimes it gets worse over time while lying down in bed. In most cases, it often starts subtle, but the pain builds over time. 

Loss of appetite

If you start to skip meals or lose an interest in the foods you used to enjoy, then watch out! Loss of appetite is considered common in this type of cancer due to tumor pressure or metabolic changes happening in the body.

Sudden weight loss

If you suddenly start to lose weight or shed weight without trying, it is one of the signs of cancer. This cancer can interfere with how the body starts to digest foods, which often causes weight loss even when you are eating foods three times in a day, normally.

Changes in stool (poop)

Always pay attention to your bowel changes, if you experience any changes in your stools, such as:

• Becoming pale or greasy
• Starts to float due to undigested fats
• Experiencing difficulty flushing out

All of these changes start to indicate that the pancreas is not functioning properly and producing enough enzymes for digestion. 

Dark urine

Experiencing a change of color in the urine (pee) shouldn’t be overlooked. The color change in urine should be checked, and if you are experiencing dark-colored or light-colored urine, it should be medically evaluated with the help of a doctor.

Jaundice (yellowing of the skin)

Jaundice is one of the first visible symptoms of this type of cancer. A tumor in the head of the pancreas can often block the bile duct. It can start to cause the bilirubin to build up in the body.

Bloating

People with pancreatic cancer can experience abdominal swelling or a sensation of fullness after eating just a small amount of food. Bloating can be usually caused by fluid buildup or poor digestion. 

New on-set diabetes

The pancreas plays a key role in regulating the blood levels. If you are suddenly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes while not having any risk factors, then it could be a sign of a pancreatic tumor interfering with your insulin production.

Fatigue and weakness

Cancer-related fatigue is not just a regular tiredness. If you are diagnosed with this cancer, then you can feel overwhelmed even after taking a proper rest. Fatigue can appear early in pancreatic cancer due to the energy the body uses to fight against the cancer in a patient. 

Itchy skin

If you are experiencing itchy skin, especially without a rash, it can be caused when the bile salt builds up in the skin. 

Additionally, you may notice:

• Dark colored urine
• Light colored stools

All of these signs can often indicate the risk of bile duct obstruction in the patients. It is an early sign of pancreatic cancer in people. So, do not ignore when this happens!

When should you visit a doctor

If you or any loved ones of yours are experiencing any of these symptoms, then don’t wait until it becomes severe. Consult a health care provider if you experience these signs immediately.

These may include:

• Any combination of the above signs
• Family history of cancer, mainly pancreatic and gastrointestinal cancers
• Experiencing sudden changes without any clear reasons