Butterfly Rewards - earn free credits and redeem for good causes - learn more!
about our ads
my care2
make a difference
healthy & green living: more than 5,000 ways to enhance your life

customize your free newsletter

Customize your Healthy & Green Living newsletter now

manage newsletters

ads keep care2 free
ads keep care2 free
Mel, selected from Caring.com

Surprising Signs of Pancreatic Cancer

posted by Mel, selected from Caring.com Oct 6, 2009 9:00 am
filed under: Conditions, General Health, Health & Wellness, , ,

By Melanie Haiken, Caring.com

The average general health article on pancreatic cancer states flatly that there are no early symptoms of pancreatic cancer. People diagnosed with pancreatic cancer are typically already in advanced stage of the disease by the time it’s caught, and the typical prognosis is death within five years.

With pancreatic cancer much on everyone’s mind due to the untimely death recently of Patrick Swayze, it seems like a good time to ask the question that’s on all of our minds: Are there any early warning signs of pancreatic cancer?

The answer is yes, there are. But to understand these signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer, it’s important to understand where the pancreas is, and what it does.

Located deep inside the abdomen, the pancreas is only 4 to 6 inches long and shaped like a tadpole. In the “tail” of the pancreas are cells that produce insulin, and tumors at this end are usually endocrine tumors. They are easier to diagnose, but are much rarer. At the other end, the “head” of the pancreas, are cells that produce digestive enzymes, and tumors at this end are called exocrine tumors. These are by far the most common, and are much more difficult to detect.

However, the idea that a pancreatic tumor is asymptomatic is a bit of a myth. Dig deep into journal articles and ask patients what they remember and the result is a long list of odd signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer to watch out for.

Taken one by one, these symptoms could mean many things. But if you find yourself experiencing two or three of these early warning signs of pancreatic cancer, call your doctor and ask for a scan. Imaging techniques such as MRIs can in fact detect pancreatic cancer some of the time, depending on the location of the tumor.

Next: Early warning signs of pancreatic cancer (itchy palms?!)

More on Conditions (66 articles available)
More from Mel, selected from Caring.com (75 articles available)

47 comments

47 comments

add your comment »
47 comments add your comment
John Smith

I am sorry I just found this. Apparently there is a link between pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer:

http://www.hmc.psu.edu/healthinfo/pq/pancreaticcancer.htm

Eli Angeleri

Scientificamente le conclusioni sono evidenti. Cibarsi di carne comportano Molte malattie che mettono più vittime causando soffrenze come il cancro, malattie dell aparato cardiovascolare, artereoscleorosi, diabeti, calcoli, ecc.,e comportano maggiori spese sanitarie.La dieta vegetariana o vegana, sono in grado di prevenire queste malattie.La nostra civiltà fa uso degli animali per ricavarne carne e pollame per soddisfare tutte una serie di esigenze di natura economica, senza pensare che nelle carni passano ressidue tossiche di farmaci, ormoni, fuorori, stronzio 90, e notevoli quantità di adrenalina.Chi mangia alimenti vegetali, emolto meno esposto a queste malatie.

Eli Angeleri

Scientificamente le conclusioni sono evidenti. Cibarsi di carne comportano molte malattie che mettono più vittime causando soffrenze come il cancro,malattie dell aparato cardiovascolare, artereoscleorosi, diabeti, calcoli, ecc. e comportano maggiori spese sanitarie.La dieta vegetariana o vegan, sono in grado di prevenire queste malattie.La nostra civiltâ fa uso degli animali per ricavarne carne e pollame per soddisfare tutte una serie di esigenze di natura economica, senza pensare che nelle carni passano sostanze tossiche ressidue di farmaci, ormoni, fuorori, stronzio 90, e notevoli quantità di adrenalina.

Kim C.
  • Kim C. says
  • Oct 19, 2009 6:31 PM

I will keep this article in mind.

They are finding that ovarian cancer isn't as silent as once thought either. There are many sublte symptoms.

Peter Hoyle

A very interesting article, thank you.
I'm a UK citizen.
My Father recently died of Pancreatitis,
another major problem with the Pancreas,
and AGAIN often undetected !
Pancreatitis is often associated with the drinking of alcohol !
Only 3 weeks prior to his death, he had passed a major health check for insurance and driving license purposes !He always appeared very fit for his age.
He never went to a pub in his life just to drink, BUT did enjoy his wine with a meal.
He often, very often, consumed Rennies, a well known brand of Indigestion / Heartburn tablet, the main ingredients of which are Calcium Carbonate and Magnesium Carbonate to combat acid indigestion, often caused by stress and alcohol onsumption.
In a very short time, Pancreatitis becomes chronic, and one by one in quite rapid succession all the other body organs fail !
A friend, recently had a lucky escape from Acute Pancreatitis, due to early diagnosis and expert care; he had been under stress just prior to being afflicted !
In my opinion, STRESS is often the cause of so many problems, work stress ! financial stress ! relationship stress ! often common in our busy lifestyles, and all too often our home remedy is to drink alcohol thinking it relieves stress, when in fact alcohol is a depressant often adding to the problem !
and yet we are constantly bombarded on our TV / Cinema screens with scenes depicting the reaching for their favourite alcoholic tipple to relieve stress !!!









Jocelyn C.

This is interesting stuff. It sure opens my mind to look for signs that may mean something is wrong somewhere. I would be more vigilant with my health and with that of my family's.

Bintangdini Haryanto

thanks for the information. i never read it before. thanks a lot!

Nan B.
  • Nan B. says
  • Oct 14, 2009 9:22 PM

This is so very interesting. Sad but a necessity to be informed...
Thank you ..

Tierney G.

Thank you for this very helpful info. Listening to your body telling you something is wrong is better than all the doctors on earth! When something does not feel right it usually isn't.

Stefanie B.

Thank you for getting this information out there! My grandfather lost the fight to pancreatic cancer last year..

Please enter your comment.
Or, log in with your
Facebook account:
1500 characters remaining

who's talking about this story?

Trackback URL

Disclaimer: Care2.com does not warrant and shall have no liability for information provided in this newsletter or on Care2.com. Each individual person, fabric, or material may react differently to a particular suggested use. It is recommended that before you begin to use any formula, you read the directions carefully and test it first. Should you have any health care-related questions or concerns, please call or see your physician or other health care provider.

1013020

ads keep care2 free
ads keep care2 free
ads keep care2 free
Copyright © 2009 Care2.com, inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved