Pancreatic Cancer Action: Registered Charity Number 1137689. Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in England & Wales No.07272699.

Registered office: The Crest Lodge, Petworth Road, Haslemere, Surrey. GU27 3AU. Tel: 05600 685917

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Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms Pancreatic cancer is sometimes called a “silent cancer” because the early symptoms are often vague and unrecognised. It is only with the development of more specific symptoms that patients and doctors consider pancreatic cancer to be a possibility - by which time it is often too late for potentially curative surgery to be an option.

Classical symptoms include: ๏ Painless jaundice (yellow skin/eyes, dark urine) related to bile duct obstruction ๏ Significant and unexplained weight loss; ๏ New onset of significant & persistent abdominal pain;

Other common symptoms: ๏ pain in the upper abdomen that typically radiates to the back and is relieved by leaning forward (seen in carcinoma in the body or tail of the pancreas); ๏ vague dyspepsia or abdominal discomfort; ๏ loss of appetite, or nausea and vomiting; ๏ pain when eating; ๏ steatorrhoea (fatty stools that are often pale and smelly); ๏ New onset diabetes

All of these symptoms can have multiple other causes, and there is not yet a reliable and easy diagnostic screening test for pancreatic cancer.

If you regularly experience any of these symptoms, which are not normal for you, contact your GP