12 Early Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer is often called a silent killer because symptoms usually do not begin to appear until the cancer has metastasized or spread. An estimated 57,600 adults in the United States are expected to be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer each year resulting in approximately 47,050 deaths.
Because the symptoms of pancreatic cancer usually don't begin until the cancer has spread, it is very important to pay attention to these 12 symptoms we have listed here. Especially since this type of cancer is not routinely screened for like other types of cancer due to the fact that no screening test for pancreatic cancer has been found to save lives.
Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that having any or all of these symptoms does not necessarily mean you have pancreatic cancer. It does mean, however, that you should get in touch with your physician for diagnosis.
The Pancreas
Your pancreas is an organ that sits just behind the stomach whose main purpose is to filter bilirubin, and release enzymes that aid digestion and produce hormones that help manage your blood sugar.
Pancreatic cancer begins in the tissue of the pancreas, most commonly in the cells that line the ducts that carry digestive enzymes out.
