Pancreatic cancer is the 10th most common cancer in the UK. As with all cancers, spotting symptoms as early as possible could save your life.
It doesn’t usually cause any symptoms in the early stages, but as the cancer grows, symptoms can start. Jaundice, loss of appetite, feeling tired and a high temperature are just some of the symptoms of pancreatic cancer listed by the NHS.
But a change in the way you poo is also worth noting. Symptoms in your poo to spot include:
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Large stools
- Pale stools
- Smelly stools
- Stools that float
Pancreatic Cancer Action explains: “People with pancreatic cancer sometimes experience constipation (when your stools are very firm and difficult to push out, sometimes accompanied by stomach pain) or diarrhoea (passing of watery stools more than three times a day).
“Stools can also be large, pale, smelly and float. This is because there is too much fat in the stool as food is not digested properly.”
Constipation and diarrhoea are quite common, but if a change in your bowels keeps happening or lasts longer than a week, you should see your GP.
The charity adds: “It does not mean you have pancreatic cancer and your GP may be able to resolve your symptoms easily.”
The common symptoms of pancreatic cancer, according to Cancer Research UK, are:
People describe the pain as a dull pain that feels like it’s boring into you. It can begin in the tummy area and spread around to the back.
It can also be worse when you lie down and is better if you sit forward. It can also be worse after meals.
Jaundice is yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, but it can also cause your wee to be darker than normal and make your stools lighter in colour.
Losing a lot of weight for no apparent reason should be cause for concern.
Other signs to be aware of are:
But it’s important to understand the symptoms of pancreatic cancer can be caused by many different conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome or indigestion.