Two early warning signs of 'silent killer' disease no one should ignore

14 July 2023 , 23:40

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Pancreatic cancer has one of the lowest 10-year survival rates of any cancer (Image: Getty Images/Cultura RF)

Brits are being warned about a silent killer disease - with two early symptoms you should never ignore. Pancreatic cancer has one of the lowest 10-year survival rates of any cancer, with US presenter Jerry Springer dying of the disease in April of this year.

Due to the disease’s mortality rate, knowing the symptoms, even those one might miss, is crucial. Experts call pancreatic cancer a silent disease due to symptoms typically not showing up in the early stages.

But researchers have identified two unrecognised early symptoms that people can look out for and will help doctors better diagnose the disease.

Identified in a study last year, the two most serious symptoms include the yellowing of the skin (jaundice) and bleeding in the stomach or intestine.

Researchers have found two other lesser-known and unrecognised warning signs of pancreatic cancer are increased thirst and dark yellow urine.

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“When pancreatic cancer is diagnosed earlier, patients have a higher chance of survival,” said Dr Weiqi Liao, data scientist at the University of Oxford. “It is possible to diagnose patients when they visit their GP, but both patients and GPs need to be aware of the symptoms associated with pancreatic cancer.”

“Being aware of the early symptoms of pancreatic cancer is crucial if we are to diagnose patients earlier and improve pancreatic cancer survival,” added Dr Pippa Corrie, chair of the pancreatic workstream of the NCRI Upper Gastrointestinal Group and Consultant Medical Oncologist at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, UK.

“This research could help GPs and their patients know more about the signs of pancreatic cancer. It’s vital that people speak to their GP if they notice these symptoms.”

Full list of symptoms

The symptoms of pancreatic cancer can include:

• Problems swallowing
• Diarrhoea
• Change in bowel habits
• Vomiting
• Indigestion
• Abdominal mass
• Abdominal pain
• Weight loss
• Constipation
• Fat in stool
• Abdominal swelling
• Nausea
• Flatulence
• Heartburn
• Fever
• Tiredness
• Appetite loss
• Itching
• Back pain

Pancreatic cancer is more likely for those aged over 75 and is not common for people under 40, according to the NHS.

People can reduce their chances of getting the cancer by cutting down on red and processed meat, not being overweight, not smoking and drinking less alcohol.

Hannah Kane