Pancreatic cancer: 10 warning signs you shouldn’t ignore
Pancreatic cancer is often called a “silent disease” because symptoms can be vague at first and appear only after the cancer has advanced. Recognizing early warning signs can make a critical difference.
1. Jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes)
One of the most common early signs. It happens when a tumor blocks the bile duct, causing bilirubin to build up.
2. Dark urine
Even before jaundice is obvious, urine may become dark brown or tea-colored due to excess bilirubin.
3. Pale or greasy stools
Blocked bile flow can cause stools to look light-colored, greasy, or float and smell unusually bad.
4. Persistent abdominal pain
Pain in the upper abdomen that may radiate to the back and worsen after eating or when lying down.
5. Unexplained weight loss
Significant weight loss without dieting is a red flag and often linked to poor digestion and appetite loss.
6. Loss of appetite or early fullness
Feeling full quickly or losing interest in food can signal digestive disruption.
7. New-onset diabetes or worsening blood sugar control
Sudden diabetes in adults over 50—especially without weight gain—can be an early warning sign.
8. Nausea and vomiting
Especially when the tumor presses on the stomach or interferes with digestion.
9. Fatigue and weakness
Persistent tiredness that doesn’t improve with rest may be due to cancer-related metabolic changes.
10. Itchy skin
Caused by bile salt buildup in the bloodstream, often associated with jaundice.
⚠️ Important to remember
- These symptoms can be caused by many other, less serious conditions.
- However, persistent or combined symptoms should never be ignored.
- Risk is higher in smokers, people over 50, those with chronic pancreatitis, diabetes, obesity, or a family history of pancreatic cancer.
If you want, I can also:
- Explain when to see a doctor immediately
- Discuss risk factors and prevention
- Share early diagnostic tests used for pancreatic cancer
