A top pancreatic cancer specialist has issued an urgent warning that thousands of people across the UK could be misinterpreting subtle signs of the deadly disease as common health complaints.
The Silent Killer's Alarming Statistics
Known as the 'silent killer' due to its difficult-to-detect symptoms, pancreatic cancer claims approximately 100,000 lives in the UK every year. According to the charity Pancreatic Cancer UK, it stands as the deadliest common cancer, with more than half of patients dying within three months of diagnosis.
The situation is particularly dire because eight in ten cases are diagnosed too late for effective treatment. This critical delay often occurs because the symptoms closely resemble those of less serious conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
Recognising the Subtle Warning Signs
Dr Neville Menezes, a consultant pancreatic surgeon at Ashford and St Peters Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, is urging Britons to remain vigilant for specific symptoms that could indicate pancreatic cancer.
'Pancreatic cancer can develop quietly,' Dr Menezes explained. 'By the time symptoms become severe, the disease is often advanced. Recognising subtle changes in your body and acting quickly can make all the difference.'
He emphasised that while these symptoms don't always indicate pancreatic cancer, if they persist for more than four weeks, it's crucial to see your GP.
The Seven Key Symptoms You Must Not Ignore
The often-overlooked symptoms identified by Dr Menezes include:
- Persistent abdominal or back pain that doesn't resolve and fails to respond to medical treatment
- Unexplained weight loss or a persistent loss of appetite, known medically as Cachexia or wasting syndrome
- Jaundice, characterised by yellowing skin or eyes, often accompanied by dark urine or pale stools
- Digestive issues including nausea, indigestion, bloating or changes in bowel habits that persist without apparent reason
- Itchy skin without another explanation
- New-onset diabetes diagnosed with no prior history of the condition
Dr Menezes explained that pancreatic cancer can disrupt the gland's ability to produce hormones like insulin and glucagon, which help convert food into energy. This disruption can lead to unstable blood sugar levels and potentially trigger diabetes.
A Growing Health Crisis
This urgent warning comes amid a concerning rise in pancreatic cancer cases, which claimed the life of actor Alan Rickman in 2016, just six months after his diagnosis.
Cases have increased by almost ten percent in the last decade, and projections indicate there could be approximately 16,000 new cases of pancreatic cancer in the UK by 2040.
Dr Menezes's message is clear: understanding these subtle symptoms and seeking medical advice promptly could significantly improve survival chances for those affected by this devastating disease.
