Knowing the subtle early symptoms of pancreatic cancer, including changes in toilet habits, could play a crucial role in increasing survival rates, experts say.
Currently, of the 10,000 people diagnosed each year, most die within three months. The problem is that the disease is often discovered too late.
One high-profile sufferer, former England manager Sven Goron-Eriksson, recently gave a public farewell as he faces the final months of his life.
The football legend, who features in a recently released Amazon Prime documentary about his life, was diagnosed in January.
To coincide, Action against pancreatic cancer calls on the public to be vigilant for the disease’s ‘hidden’ warning signs, which are often overlooked.
Awareness of changes in energy levels, pain and physical appearance can make a difference in the early detection of pancreatic cancer
One high-profile patient, former England manager Sven Goron-Eriksson, was diagnosed in January and recently made a public farewell as he heads into the final months of his life
The football legend, pictured with his former partner Nancy Dell’Olio, features in a recently released Amazon Prime documentary about his life
According to experts, pancreatic cancer is one of the most misdiagnosed forms of cancer due to its vague symptoms.
More than 43 percent of patients are first told they have the disease during an emergency department visit, after having visited their GP several times before.
The only cure is surgery. When a patient is in so much pain that they need to go to the emergency room, surgery is probably not an option because the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Currently, eight out of ten patients are only diagnosed when surgery is no longer an option, and at least one person dies from pancreatic cancer every hour in the UK.
Another well-known patient is Harry Potter star Alan Rickman, who died in January 2016 at the age of 69.
The Professor Snape actor was diagnosed in August of the previous year, after suffering a stroke.
Ghost and Dirty Dancing star Patrick Swayze was diagnosed in 2007 and the cancer had already spread to his liver. He died in September 2009 at the age of 57.
Pancreatic Cancer Action emphasises that awareness of changes in energy levels, pain and physical appearance can make the difference in early detection and cure.
The charity is urging the public to be aware of the common early symptoms, which include persistent tiredness or a sudden drop in energy.
Another symptom is abdominal or back pain, especially if it starts as mild discomfort and gets worse over time.
Abdominal pain that gets worse over time and changes in toilet habits, including steatorrhea — fatty stools. You may have frequent, large bowel movements that are light-colored, foul-smelling, and difficult to flush
Ghost and Dirty Dancing star Patrick Swayze. He died in September 2009 at the age of 57, 20 months after his diagnosis with pancreatic cancer.
Other high-profile victims include Harry Potter star Alan Rickman, who died in January 2016 at the age of 69. The Professor Snape actor was diagnosed the previous August after suffering a stroke
Unexplained weight loss and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) are also common symptoms.
And changes in the color of stool or urine are just as often overlooked.
One of these is a symptom called steatorrhea, which means greasy stools. Patients may have frequent, large stools that are light-colored, foul-smelling, and difficult to flush.
These changes in bowel movements are caused by blockages in the pancreatic ducts, which are an important part of the digestive system. They can mean that food is not being absorbed properly.
Other possible changes in bowel movements include diarrhea and constipation.
Dark urine is another symptom of jaundice. Jaundice occurs when a tumor in the pancreas blocks the bile ducts, another part of the digestive system.
This causes bilirubin, a waste product from the liver, to build up in the body and enter the bloodstream. Eventually it ends up in the urine, which turns it dark yellow or orange.
One patient, Dan Godley, believes recognizing early signs played a crucial role in his survival.
At first, Dan Godley thought his stomach pain was a food allergy, but after three months he went to the doctor
Dan finds that persistence in seeking medical advice, despite seemingly mild symptoms, was the key to finding his cancer early – and he has been successfully treated
The Stoke-on-Trent marathon runner was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2021, aged 28. He said: ‘It started in the summer of 2020, with a tight feeling in my stomach every night when I went to bed.’
At first he thought it was a food allergy, but after three months he went to the doctor.
“An ultrasound showed nothing and he suggested it was constipation,” says Dan.
The following spring, when his symptoms worsened, he visited his family doctor, who ordered blood tests.
“Everything was negative. I was told no further action was needed,” Dan recalls.
Despite this, knowing something was wrong, he persevered. Eventually, when the pain became intense, he went to the ER.
“Five weeks later I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer,” Dan says, adding that his persistence in seeking medical advice despite seemingly mild symptoms was key to catching the cancer early.
Your browser does not support iframes.
Your browser does not support iframes.
He has now been successfully treated and no longer has cancer.
“Time is of the essence in pancreatic cancer,” says Joe Kirwin, CEO of Pancreatic Cancer Action.
‘We encourage everyone to trust their intuition and consult a doctor if they notice any unusual symptoms, no matter how minor they may seem.
“Early diagnosis saves lives, and Dan’s story is proof of that.”