Being aware of the symptoms and risk factors of cancer can save lives. Pancreatic cancer is among the risky cancer types. The fact that the symptoms of pancreatic cancer are similar to many health problems we experience in daily life can cause delays in the diagnosis of this disease. However, there is such a symptom that is ignored that 75% of cancer patients experience the same symptom.
SYMPTOM DEPENDS ON WHERE THE TUMOR DEVELOPS
Dr. Deborah Lee shared a warning sign about cancer that could ring alarm bells. Depending on the location of the cancerous tumor, one of the “early” warning signs may be itching. Itchy or itchy skin describes skin that feels prickly with an excessive need to scratch. Dr. “Whether itching is an early or late sign of pancreatic cancer depends on where the tumor developed,” Lee said.
ITCH CAN APPEAR AS AN EARLY SYMPTOM
If a frightening situation begins in the tail of the pancreas, itching may occur in the later stages of the disease. However, in 65 percent of pancreatic cancer cases, the condition starts in the head of your pancreas, so itching can occur relatively “early.”
“When pancreatic cancer starts in the head of the pancreas, it is more likely to compress the bile ducts prematurely, blocking the passage of bile into the intestines, resulting in itchy jaundice,” the doctor said.
JANUARY SYMPTOM IS THE MOST COMMON SYMPTOM
The expert shared that when it comes to describing cancer itch, this feeling will be permanent and take over your entire skin. What’s more, itching is a “common” symptom of pancreatic cancer, occurring in 80 to 100 percent of patients with jaundice. Jaundice describes yellowing of your skin and whites of your eyes, according to the NHS. Dr. Lee said: “The change in skin color is due to the accumulation of the bile pigment bilirubin.
This is normally excreted in the intestines, but because the cancer blocks the passageway, bilirubin builds up in the bloodstream and accumulates in the skin.”
ATTENTION TO CHANGES IN THE TOILET
According to a study published in The Official Journal of the International Hepato Pancreato Biliary Association, this prominent symptom of pancreatic cancer, which comes with itching, is seen in about 75 percent of patients. While itching by itself does not necessarily indicate cancer, there are other accompanying symptoms that can help identify the fatal condition. In patients with pancreatic cancer, itching occurs with jaundice and symptoms that hit the toilet.
Dr Lee said: “Patients notice that their stools have turned pale and their urine is darker in color. Stool may appear greasy and may float in the toilet, difficult to flush. If you notice your skin turning yellow and you have pale stools and dark urine, you should see a doctor immediately.” According to the NHS, other main symptoms of pancreatic cancer to look out for include:
- loss of appetite or weight loss
- feeling tired
- High temperature or a feeling of heat or chills
- feeling sick
- Diarrhea or constipation or other changes in your stool
- Pain in your upper abdomen and back (may feel worse when eating or lying down and may feel better when you bend forward)
- Symptoms of indigestion (such as feeling bloated).