Pancreatic cancer is one of the scariest things you could be diagnosed with. However, identifying it early can seriously improve your odds of successful treatment!
Chances are that you don’t know how to diagnose pancreatic cancer early. Whether you have a hereditary risk or just like being cautious, this is crucial information to know.
Keep reading to learn more about four important symptoms that can serve as warning signs!
1. How to Diagnose Pancreatic Cancer Early Via Diabetes
Chances are that you think of diabetes and pancreatic cancer as completely separate things. However, diabetes can actually be a cancer warning sign!
If you’re someone without any real diabetes risk factors who develops diabetes, then it may be a sign that your pancreas is not performing like it should. Similarly, those with diabetes who could previously control it and now cannot may be facing pancreatic issues that are warning signs of pancreatic cancer.
2. Jaundice
Another surprise warning sign of pancreatic cancer is if you develop jaundice. This is a condition in which your skin turns a yellow shade due to the bile duct in your body being blocked.
As you might imagine, the head of the pancreas is close to the bile duct and a common site of pancreatic cancer. This is why jaundiced skin is one of the biggest indicators of pancreatic cancer and a sign you should visit the doctor right away!
3. Abdominal Pain
Abdominal pain is a major warning sign of pancreatic cancer. Unfortunately, it’s one of the signs that’s easy for people to ignore until it is too late!
It’s true that any number of things could potentially cause temporary abdominal pain. However, regular abdominal pain can be a sign that the pancreas (located close to your celiac plexus) is experiencing pain.
If you have persistent pain from beneath your sternum all the way through to your back, this can be one of the major pancreatic cancer signs. Go seek medical help right away!
4. Sudden Weight Loss
One of life’s great ironies is that some of the things we’re hoping for can also be warning signs about something terrible. And that is actually true of sudden weight loss, as this is a major warning sign of pancreatic cancer!
Many of us stress about losing weight throughout the year. Because of this, you may think a sudden loss of appetite and some spontaneous weight loss is a great thing.
However, nothing happens without a cause. If there’s no other explanation for your sudden weight loss, then it’s entirely possible that you’re in the early stages of pancreatic cancer.
The Bottom Line
If you’re reading this, then you’re worried about how to diagnose pancreatic cancer early. You want to be able to diagnose it and treat it, but you may not know exactly where to start.
That’s where we come in. Dr. Clancy Clark is the best authority on pancreatic cancer in the region. From detection to treatment, he will take care of you every step of the way!
To see how Dr. Clark can help you, be sure to contact us today!