Health Desk. Cancer is such a serious disease, whose timely detection is very important for treatment. Pancreas cancer is also included in such serious diseases. Its biggest problem is that in the initial stages its symptoms sometimes appear like normal stomach related problems. People often ignore stomach ache, loss of appetite or weakness considering it to be a minor problem.
But there are some symptoms which require special attention. Pancreas plays an important role in controlling digestion and blood sugar in our body. Therefore, if there is cancer in this organ, everything from digestion to normal functioning of the body can be affected. Let us know about 6 such signs of pancreas cancer, which are important to recognize.
1. Persistent pain in the upper abdomen or back
If you have pancreas cancer, you may feel pain or discomfort in the upper part of the stomach. Many times this pain starts from the stomach and reaches the back. Some people may feel more pain after eating or lying down. If there is persistent pain in the stomach or back and there is no relief despite normal treatment, a doctor should be examined.
2. Yellowing of skin and eyes
Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes can be an important sign of pancreas cancer. This is called jaundice. This can happen when a tumor present in the pancreas starts pressing the bile duct. This increases the amount of bilirubin in the body. Apart from this, dark urine color, lightening of stool color and itching in the body can also be seen along with it. In case of sudden jaundice, a doctor should be contacted immediately.
3. Rapid weight loss without any reason
If your weight is continuously decreasing without dieting or exercising, then this change should not be ignored. In pancreas cancer, the body's energy consumption and digestion process can be affected. Due to this, appetite decreases and the body does not get adequate nutrition. As a result, the person's weight starts decreasing rapidly.
4. Loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting
Disorders in the pancreas can also affect the digestive system. In such a situation, the person may have less desire to eat food. You may feel full after eating a small amount of food. Some people also complain of frequent nausea and vomiting. If these problems persist or are accompanied by weight loss, do not delay in seeking medical advice.
5. Feeling extremely tired and weak
Being tired all the time without doing much hard work can also be a sign of some serious problem in the body. Pancreas cancer patients may feel weak due to loss of appetite, lack of nutrition and the effects of the disease on the body. Many times, fatigue does not go away even after taking adequate rest. If other symptoms also appear along with persistent weakness, it is important to get checked by a doctor.
6. Change in stool color and digestive problems
The pancreas produces enzymes necessary for digestion. When the functioning of this organ is affected, there may be difficulty in digesting food. The stool of some patients may be lighter than normal, greasy, oily or foul-smelling. Sometimes stool is also seen floating on water. Along with this, problems like flatulence and indigestion may occur. If there is a continuous change in the color and texture of the stool, a doctor should be contacted to find out the reason.
What to do if symptoms of pancreas cancer appear?
Early detection of pancreas cancer is not easy, because many of its symptoms are also seen in other common diseases. Therefore, cancer cannot be confirmed on the basis of these signs alone. The doctor may recommend blood test, ultrasound, CT scan, MRI or other necessary tests according to the patient's condition.