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More than 56,700 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2019, a 2 percent increase over last year. The disease’s five-year survival rate remains unprecidented.
Pancreatic Cancer Is taking a toll and will reach the place of the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States by 2020.
Find out what's happening in Glendorafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
In the last year, two new potentially beneficial drugs were approved.
In 2018 research has improved as well as the clinical ability to identify, measure and manage risk, however, the need to effectively detect and catch pancreatic cancer in the earliest of stages is vital.
Find out what's happening in Glendorafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
I care about my community and if this article gains the attention of even one person, that's one less family who might find their lives stricken by this disease.
As the number of pancreatic cancer diagnoses rises, our mission grows more urgent, as does the need for more passionate and dedicated supporters who demand better for patients and their families.
Pancreatic cancer is sometimes called a “silent” disease because symptoms are rarely noticeable in its early stages. If symptoms are present, they are often vague and can be easy to ignore.
The following is a list of seven common symptoms. While they can be caused by other medical conditions, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network recommends that anyone experiencing one or more of these symptoms speak with a doctor.
1) Your Back or Stomach Hurts
Pain in the abdomen or mid-back may be caused by a tumor. Depending on its location, the tumor may be pushing against nerves or organs near the pancreas or blocking the digestive tract.
((Causing bile and gasses to back up behind the tumor and jaundice. A stent can be surgically implanted to relieve blockage but only chemotherapy, radiation or surgery can aid in reducing or eliminating the tumor))
2) You’re Bloated
Pancreatic cancer can cause ascites, the build-up of extra fluid in the abdomen. This causes the belly to swell and stretch out.
3) You’re Having Trouble Digesting Food
((this is one of the pain causing symptoms. Pain can be reduced by not laying down flat immediately after eating to allow for digestion, eating smaller portions and by taking medication)
Loss of appetite, indigestion and nausea are common in people with pancreatic cancer. Some or all these symptoms may occur when a tumor blocks or slows the regular digestive processes.
4) You’re Losing Weight and You Don’t Know Why
Weight loss can be caused by incomplete digestion due to the cancer or by the cancer itself. Cancer-induced weight loss is a problem that affects the way the body uses calories and protein. It can cause the body to burn more calories than usual, break down muscle and decrease appetite.
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5) Your Skin and Eyes Look Yellow
((This was the final symptom leading up to my fiances hospitalization. I was already devastated by this point. After months of begging him to get help, he broke down, powerless to the pain caused by what we would soon learn to be that caused by Stage IV Pancreatic Cancer with Liver Metastasis))
Jaundice is a yellowing of the skin and eyes caused by the buildup of bilirubin, a component of bile. This buildup can happen if the tumor blocks the bile flowing from the gallbladder into the small intestine.
People with jaundice may also have itchy skin, dark urine and light or clay-colored stools.
6) Your Stools Are Changing
Many pancreatic cancer patients have diarrhea, constipation or both. Diarrhea consisting of loose, watery, oily or foul-smelling stools can be caused by insufficient amounts of pancreatic enzymes in the intestines. Constipation is also a common problem. If the digestive system works too slowly, it can cause stools to become dry, hard and difficult to pass.
7) You Were Recently Diagnosed with Diabetes, or Your Well-controlled Diabetes Is Changing
Research suggests that a sudden onset of type 2 diabetes in people age 50 or older may be an early symptom of pancreatic cancer, especially in those who have a low body mass index, experience continuous weight loss or do not have a family history of diabetes.
A sudden change in blood sugar levels in diabetics who previously had well-controlled diabetes may also be a sign of pancreatic cancer.
*PANCAN.ORG