Like other cancers, pancreatic cancer hardly shows any early signs or symptoms, making it dangerous as the tumour would have grown and spread by the time symptoms start to show. This means that you as an individual cannot diagnose yourself, but there are some changes in the way your body functions that are worth going to a doctor with.
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Change in stool
One of the signs of pancreatic cancer is a change in the colour of your poo. If the cancer is present in your body, your stool may start to look greasy or light-coloured. According to Cancer.org, this is because bilirubin which normally gives poo its brown colour, could be impacted if the bile duct is blocked
Also, if bile and pancreatic enzymes can’t get through to the intestines to help break down fats, the stools can become greasy and might float in the toilet.
Many pancreatic cancer patients have diarrhoea, constipation or both. The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network explains that diarrhoea consisting of loose, watery, oily or foul-smelling stools can be caused by insufficient amounts of pancreatic enzymes in the intestines.
Patients tend to suffer from constipation due to the slowing down of how the digestive system works, causing stools to become dry, hard and painful to pass.
Other symptoms
Apart from a change in your toilet routines, there are a number of other symptoms that could be indicative of the presence of pancreatic cancer. According to Cancer.org, these signs include:
- Unexplained weight loss
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Jaundice
- Loss of appetite
The rest are indigestion, shoulder pain, non-cardiac chest pain, general malaise and discomfort as well as weakness. Experiencing any of these symptoms does not automatically mean you have the disease. In fact, these symptoms could be due to other medical conditions. The only way to know or rule out the disease is by seeing a doctor.
Sources used:
Times Now News: Pancreatic cancer: An early symptom may appear in the stools, take note
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network: 7 Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms and Signs You Should Know
Cancer.org: Signs and Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer
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