Experts say that changes in bowel habits, specifically six changes, could be warning signs of pancreatic cancer.
New Delhi: Pancreatic cancer is the most painful type of cancer and one of the deadliest as well as this disease often goes unnoticed due to absence of symptoms. But doctors say that the only way to improve the odds of survival is by detecting the disease as early as possible. If left undetected, the tumour spreads and can eventually spread to other body parts and become metastatic increasing the chances of early death. And while most symptoms of pancreatic cancer clash with other relatively less serious health problems, there are some signs in the bowels that could be indicative of the disease.
What are the symptoms of pancreatic cancer?
Pancreatic cancer has some symptoms that often clash with other health problems as well, such as:
- Loss of appetite
- High temperature
- Jaundice – yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes
- Feeling too tired
- Unexplained weight loss
- Back pain
- Stomach pain
What are the symptoms of pancreatic cancer that appear in the bowels?
Experts say that changes in bowel habits, specifically six changes, could be warning signs of pancreatic cancer. These include:
- Pale stools
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Smelly stools
- Pale stools
- Stools that float
Patients of pancreatic cancer are also likely to experience constipation – wherein stools become very firm and cannot be easily passed, or when one poops less than three times in a week. Sometimes, when stools are too large and smell and they float, it could be due to excess fat in the same or due to undigested food.
Diarrhoea and constipation, if they keep changing for a long time or if the same lasts for longer than a week, it is advised to check with a doctor on priority. But it may not necessarily always be due to pancreatic cancer – yet, caution is advised. Sometimes, it can masquerade in the form of abdominal pain which radiates to the back. The same can worsen upon laying down and may even get better when one sits forward. The pain can worsen after meals and jaundice can also lead to yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes.
Other symptoms of pancreatic cancer are:
- Diabetes
- Excess itching
- Indigestion
- Fever
- Shivering
- Blood clots
- Falling sick too often
It is also important to understand that the symptoms of pancreatic cancer can also be caused by other health problems. Therefore, one must identify it well before coming to a conclusion.