Knowing the subtle early symptoms of pancreatic cancer — including changes in toilet habits — could play a crucial role in boosting survival, say experts.
At present the majority of 10,000 people diagnosed with the disease each year die within three months, and part of the problem is that it’s often spotted too late.
One high-profile sufferer, former England manager, Sven-Göran Eriksson recently issued a public farewell as he faces his last months of life.
The football legend, who features in a newly released Amazon Prime documentary about his life, was diagnosed in January.
To coincide, Pancreatic Cancer Action is urging the public to be vigilant about the ‘hidden’ warning signs of the disease, which are often overlooked.
Awareness of changes in energy levels, pain, and physical appearance can make all the difference in early detection of pancreatic cancer
One high-profile sufferer, former England manager, Sven-Göran Eriksson was diagnosed in January and recently issued a public farewell as he faces his last months of life
The football legend, pictured with former partner Nancy Dell’Olio, features in a newly released Amazon Prime documentary about his life
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most misdiagnosed of all the common cancers due to its vague symptoms, say experts.
More than 43 per cent of patients first learn they have the disease during an emergency in A&E after having visited their GP’s several times beforehand.
The one cure is surgery and by the time a patient is suffering from the type of pain that warrants a trip to A&E, surgery is likely no longer an option as the cancer will have spread to other areas of the body.
At present, eight in ten patients are diagnosed when surgery is no longer an option — and at least one person every hour dies of pancreatic cancer in UK.
Other famous sufferers include Harry Potter star Alan Rickman, who died in January 2016 aged 69.
The Professor Snape actor was diagnosed in August the year before after suffering a stroke.
Ghost and Dirty Dancing leading man Patrick Swayze was diagnosed in 2007, and the cancer had already spread to his liver. He passed away in September 2009 at the age of 57.
Pancreatic Cancer Action stresses that awareness of changes in energy levels, pain, and physical appearance can make all the difference in early detection and cure.
The charity is urging the public to be aware of the common early symptoms, which can include a persistent fatigue or a sudden drop in energy.
Another signs is abdominal or back pain, particularly if it starts as a mild discomfort and worsens over time.
Abdominal pain that worsens over time and changes to toilet habits, including steatorrhoea — fatty stools. You may pass frequent, large bowel motions that are pale coloured and smelly, and are difficult to flush away
Ghost and Dirty Dancing leading man Patrick Swayze. He passed away in September 2009 at the age of 57, 20 months after his pancreatic cancer diagnosis
Other famous sufferers include Harry Potter star Alan Rickman, who died in January 2016 aged 69. The Professor Snape actor was diagnosed in August the year before after suffering a stroke
Unexplained weight loss and jaundice — yellowing of the skin or eyes — is also a telltale symptom.
And equally often overlooked are changes in stool or urine colour.
One of these is a symptom called steatorrhoea — which means fatty stools. Sufferers may pass frequent, large bowel motions that are pale coloured and smelly, and are difficult to flush away.
These bowel changes are due to blockages of pancreatic ducts, which are a vital part of the digestive system, and can mean food is not being absorbed properly.
Diarrhoea and constipation are also other possible bowel changes.
Dark urine is another symptom of jaundice, which occurs when a tumor in the pancreas blocks the bile duct, another part of the digestive system.
This causes bilirubin, a waste product from the liver, to build up in the body and pass into the bloodstream, eventually appearing in the urine, turning it dark yellow or orange.
One patient, Dan Godley, believes recognising early signs played a crucial role in his survival.
Initially, Dan Godley put his stomach pain down to a food allergy but after three months booked in to see a doctor
Dan feels persistence in seeking medical advice, despite seemingly mild symptoms, was key to catching his cancer early — and he has been successfully treated
The marathon runner, from Stoke-on-Trent, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2021, at the age of 28.
He says: ‘It started the summer of 2020, with a tightness in my abdomen every night when I went to bed.’
Initially, he put it down to a food allergy but after three months booked in to see a doctor.
‘An ultrasound didn’t show anything up and he suggested it was constipation,’ says Dan.
The following spring, as the symptoms worsened, he visited his GP who ordered blood tests.
‘These all came back negative — I was told no further action was required,’ recalls Dan.
Despite this, knowing something wasn’t right, he persisted. Eventually, when the pain became intense he went to A&E.
‘Five weeks later, I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer,’ says Dan, who adds that his persistence in seeking medical advice, despite seemingly mild symptoms, was key to catching his cancer early.
He has now been successfully treated and is clear of cancer.
‘Time is of the essence with pancreatic cancer,’ says Joe Kirwin, CEO of Pancreatic Cancer Action.
‘We encourage everyone to trust their instincts and see a healthcare professional if they notice un-usual symptoms, no matter how small they may seem.
‘Early diagnosis saves lives, and Dan’s story is a testament to this.’
