A subtle sign of pancreatic cancer is consistently low blood sugar levels, which can present itself in erratic hunger pangs
A popular cancer surgeon has warned people to not ignore three important signs of "silent killer” cancer, which are seeing a sharp rise in a large number of young people being affected. According to Dr. Ahmet Ezzat, pancreatic cancer has "some of the poorest outcomes of all cancers."
Taking to social media, the surgeon has shared the symptoms with hopes of securing earlier diagnoses, as current data shows it is one of the most aggressive cancers. According to Pancreatic Cancer UK, pancreatic cancer has the lowest survival rates of all common cancers, with a five-year survival rate of less than 7 per cent.
Early signs of pancreatic cancer
Low blood sugar levels
According to Dr. Ezzat, a subtle sign of pancreatic cancer is consistently low blood sugar levels, which can present themselves in erratic hunger pangs. Those who develop type 2 diabetes or existing diabetics may suddenly notice blood sugars becoming poorly controlled. "This is because the pancreas produces insulin, which is responsible for regulating your blood sugar. If you notice this symptom, then you need to make sure you get investigated urgently by your GP," Dr. Ezzat explained.
Insulin converts sugar from food into energy, and pancreatic cancer can inhibit the gland from making enough of these hormones, which can lead to unstable blood sugar levels.
Back pain
According to Dr. Ezzat, back pain is another prominent sign of pancreatic cancer, which can become chronic if not taken care of. Your pain may become worse when lying down or eating and may ease when you lean forward.
"If you notice signs of abdominal aches or back pain, then this is really important to get investigated by your GP because this could be a sign of pancreatic cancer," said Dr. Ezzat.
Jaundice
Pancreatic cancer that blocks the liver's bile duct can lead to jaundice. According to experts, a few signs include yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes.
Jaundice also causes dark urine and pale-coloured stools. Jaundice often occurs without belly pain. Dr. Ezzat said there are a lot of possible causes of jaundice, caused by the buildup of a yellow substance called bilirubin in the body, including liver disease or cancer. Early diagnosis is important because four in five people with pancreatic cancer are currently diagnosed at a late stage three or four when the survival rates are lower.
The one-year survival rate in those diagnosed at an early stage is six times higher than those diagnosed at stage four.
What is pancreatic cancer?
Pancreatic cancer occurs when cells in your pancreas mutate and multiply out of control, forming a tumour. Your pancreas is a gland in your abdomen, between your spine and stomach, making hormones that control blood sugar levels and enzymes that aid digestion.
Most pancreatic cancers start in the ducts of your pancreas. The main pancreatic duct connects your pancreas to your common bile duct. Early-stage pancreatic tumours do not show up on imaging tests. For this reason, many people don’t receive a diagnosis until cancer has spread.
Pancreatic cancer is also resistant to many common cancer drugs, making it notoriously difficult to treat.
