Pancreatic cancer is one of the most difficult cancers to identify early, and therefore one of the most deadly. Usually cancer has spread in the body by the time symptoms are bad enough for the patient to see the doctor. Knowing the early symptoms of pancreatic cancer can greatly increase the chance of successful cancer treatment and increase treatment options.
Instructions
1. Notice any loss of appetite.
A loss of appetite is often the earliest of the symptoms of pancreatic cancer. If you have unexplained loss of appetite see your physician for medical advice and pancreatic cancer screening if they feel it is warranted.
2. Take note of any abdominal pain.
Abdominal pain can arise from many conditions, certainly not just pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer however is generally characterized by a dull ache in the lower abdomen that radiates backward toward the spine. Whereas some abdominal pain decreases with laying down, pancreatic cancer pain may increase with laying down.
3. Report darkened urine or lightened stool.
These may be signs that your body is having difficulty digesting and absorbing food because of the damages done by cancer to your pancreas.
4. Watch for yellowed skin and eyes.
Pancreatic cancer can cause increased levels of bilirubin in the blood which leads to the symptoms of jaundice. Yellowing often shows most clearly in the whites of the eyes. Be sure to consult with a physician regarding jaundice and consider getting specific blood tests done for pancreatic cancer screening.
5. Watch for a generic sense of illness.
A vague and even gnawing sense that you just do not feel right can accompany early pancreatic cancer. Do not write these feelings off as sometimes low level nausea, fatigue, or general pains can be an early sign of pancreatic cancer.
* See more tips on detecting pancreatic cancer below.
Tags: pancreatic cancer, pancreatic cancer, loss appetite, abdominal pain, cancer screening, laying down, pancreatic cancer screening