During the last entry we went over some of the risk factors for pancreatic cancer. Today I would like to talk about some of the symptoms that you should be watching for. Please keep in mind that even if you have symptoms please do not jump to the conclusion that you have cancer there are many diseases that have the same symptoms. The purpose of this is to make you aware to be your best advocate. See your doctor to rule out the cancer.
The first symptom you should be on the lookout for is if your skin tone turns to a yellowish tint. If you are having problems with your skin tone you should be seen by your doctor as soon as possible. You are either having a blockage in your pancreas near the common bile duct or you are having some liver problem that needs to be investigated as soon as possible.
If the tumor in the pancreas is located near the common bile duct even a small tumor can block the duct and lead to jaundice. Another symptom of pancreatic cancer is darkening the color of your urine. When your duct is blocked your body cannot rid itself of bilirubin through your intestines and bowels so it processes it through your kidneys and bladder. You may also notice a change in your bowel movements when your pancreas is unable to move the pancreatic fluids into the intestines and a person would not be able to process greasy or fatty foods. When the fat cannot be digested it would cause the bowel movements to become pale, greasy and make it float in the toilet. You may also be nauseas and cause vomiting and pain that would get worse after eating.
If you are not trying to lose weight but all of a sudden start losing weight you should tell your doctor. It could be anything from gallbladder to a glandular issue. You could also be experiencing back or abdominal pain. Unfortunately if you are having these pains and it is cancer it would indicate that the cancer had spread.
The bottom line with all these symptoms is that they may lead to cancer; they may lead to another diagnosis that could be something simple like a gallbladder problem. If you notice any changes to your body do not ignore them. You are your own best advocate do not ignore the signs that your body is giving you act on them.