Experiences with

Pancreatic cancer

SymptomsCausesPreventionDiagnosisMedical treatments

Pancreatic cancer does not always have symptoms, but they can include yellow skin or eyes, itchy skin, loss of appetite and tiredness.

Anyone can get pancreatic cancer, but it’s more common in people with pancreatitis, people over 65 and people with a history of it in their family.

Pancreatic cancer cannot always be prevented. But lifestyle changes like staying a healthy weight or lowering your blood pressure can lower your risk.

Tests for pancreatic cancer can include blood tests, scans, an operation to look inside your tummy and testing a sample of cells from the pancreas.

Treatment for pancreatic cancer depends on your situation. It may include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Main symptoms of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer may not have any symptoms, or they might be hard to spot.

Symptoms of pancreatic cancer can include:

  • the whites of your eyes or your skin turn yellow (jaundice), and you may also have itchy skin, darker pee and paler poo than usual
  • loss of appetite or losing weight without trying to
  • feeling tired or having no energy
  • a high temperature, or feeling hot or shivery

Other symptoms can affect your digestion, such as:

  • feeling or being sick
  • diarrhoea or constipation, or other changes in your poo
  • pain at the top part of your tummy and your back, which may feel worse when you're eating or lying down and better when you lean forward
  • symptoms of indigestion, such as feeling bloated

  • the whites of your eyes or your skin turn yellow
  • you're being sick for more than 2 days
  • you have diarrhoea for more than 7 days
  • you have symptoms that you're worried about, but are not sure where to get help

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online .

  • you've lost a noticeable amount of weight
  • you have other symptoms of pancreatic cancer that get worse or do not get better after 2 weeks
  • you have a condition that causes symptoms with your digestion that are not getting better after 2 weeks of using your usual treatments

Main tests for pancreatic cancer

You will need tests and scans to check for pancreatic cancer if a GP refers you to a specialist.

These tests can include:

  • blood tests
  • scans, like an ultrasound scan (sometimes from inside your body using a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope), CT scan, PET scan, or MRI scan
  • collecting a small sample of cells from the pancreas (called a biopsy) to be checked for cancer
  • a small operation to look inside your tummy, called a laparoscopy
  • a test called an ERCP – where an endoscope is passed through your mouth to your stomach and X-rays are taken of your pancreas

You may not have all these tests.

These tests can also help find problems in other nearby organs, such as your bile ducts, gallbladder or liver.

Where to find help and support

If you have pancreatic cancer, you and your loved ones will be supported throughout your treatment by a group of specialists.

The clinical nurse specialist, or another member of your specialist team, will be able to give you information on local support services that you may find helpful.

There are also national cancer charities that offer support and information about pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic Cancer UK

Dedicated charity for anyone affected by pancreatic cancer.

Macmillan Cancer Support

Information and support for anyone affected by cancer.

Cancer Research UK

Information and support for anyone affected by cancer.

Maggie's Centres

Practical, emotional and social support for anyone affected by cancer.

Marie Curie

Care and support for anyone affected by a terminal illness.

Main treatments for pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer can be difficult to treat.

The treatment you have will depend on:

  • the size and type of pancreatic cancer you have
  • where it is
  • if it has spread
  • your general health

It may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and supportive care.

The specialist care team looking after you will:

  • explain the treatments, benefits and side effects
  • work with you to create a treatment plan that is best for you
  • help you manage any side effects, including changes to your diet to help you digest your food

You'll have regular check-ups during and after any treatments. You may also have tests and scans.

If you have any symptoms or side effects that you are worried about, talk to your specialists. You do not need to wait for your next check-up.

Who is more likely to get pancreatic cancer

Anyone can get pancreatic cancer. It's not always clear what causes it.

You might be more likely to get it if you:

  • are over the age of 65 – it's not very common in people under 40
  • have certain medical conditions, such as chronic pancreatitis
  • there's a history of pancreatic cancer in your family

Many pancreatic cancers are also linked to your lifestyle.

How to lower your risk of pancreatic cancer

You cannot always prevent pancreatic cancer. But making healthy changes can lower your chances of getting it.

  • try to lose weight if you're overweight

  • cut down on how much red and processed meat (such as ham, bacon and salami) you eat

  • try to cut down on alcohol – avoid drinking more than 14 units a week

  • try to quit smoking

Related links

Content supplied by the NHS website

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32,054 public posts

and more promising (in vitro) CRISPR, this time used directly against cancer and not to help studying it

we are moving… https://crisprmedicinenews.com/news/crispr-targets-pancreatic-cancer-mutations/
Maxone73 profile image

Not PCa related but sounds like a very promising approach

When I read "advanced pancreatic cancer" and "overall disease control of 94%" in the same document...I feel like smiling.... https://ascopost.com/news/april-2024/advanced-pancreatic-cancer-oncolytic-virus-based-immunostimulatory-gene-therapy-plus-chemotherapy/
Maxone73 profile image

still anxious about pancreatic cancer

have been having middle to upper back ache on and off for months and I'm now worried again that my ultrasound has missed pancreatic cancer! Would the back pain be like a dull on and off ache that comes and goes?
Megaaalee profile image
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Mass on pancreas (cancer) - mets from PC or pancreatic cancer…?

If it’s pancreatic cancer, we’re shocked this wouldn’t have been seen on the many scans he has had in recent months. Is there a link b/w prostate cancer and pancreatic cancer? We won’t know the stage until we meet with the oncologist September 6.
LDC2024 profile image

my day took a dive.

My brother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. His surgery early this morning revealed the cancer had spread undetected. They ended the procedure and sent him home giving him 6 months to live. Life seems random and impersonal. My son’s dog Roxie understands.
Gobbsofjoy profile image

Breakthrough MRI Technology from Israel Promises Early Detection of Pancreatic Cancer

Despite being the 12th most common cancer globally, pancreatic cancer was the sixth deadliest in 2020 and is projected to become the deadliest by 2030 without improved detection methods.
lupus-support1 profile image

I have hypothyroidism…have I got autoimmune pancreatitis?

Since then I’ve lost almost 25 lbs and am being investigated for pancreatic cancer. I wonder if anyone on here has been diagnosed with pancreatic inflammation which is linked with autoimmune thyroiditis? It’s a long shot, but orthodox medicine seems to perceive issues like this as either/or…
BlueMoon65 profile image
BlueMoon65
in Thyroid UK

Feeling Sad and scared.

Mick has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer which the Medics think has spread too the Liver.I will give more details when I feel that I can cope. Regards Jenni uk
very profile image
very
in CLL Support

Prayers needed

My aunt has just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She's already lost a kidney and was widowed 13 months ago. She's a wonderful woman who has kept smiling and remained good-humored through everything, but how much can one person take?
NorasMom profile image

Not PCa but related. Imuno therapies keeps getting better.

(the “Company”) issued a press release announcing positive interim data from its randomized phase 2 clinical trial of CAN-2409 in non-metastatic pancreatic cancer.
Scout4answers profile image

Feeling scared

My husband was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer 2/11after a CT scan.Seen by the consultant on 20/11, requested an MRI which he Is having on the 7/12.The only assistance I have had is by contacting pancreatic cancer UK, they helped me get Creon after I looked up online.Just some back ground history my
very profile image

Update

IN the meantime I went online and found out about about Creon which is very good for people with pancreatic cancer, but has to be prescribed by a GP or a consultant.
very profile image
very
in CLL Support

Anecdotal, but running could boost immunity

In the title essay a friend of the author is taking part in a clinical trial, having chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer. As you will know, Chemo destroys white blood cells which provide immunity, so you have to have a high enough count to continue with each session.
PeggySusi profile image
PeggySusi
Graduatein Couch to 5K

How can one person be so Lucky?

Went through biopsy, it is pancreatic cancer Stage 1B or 2A. As I have come to find out Pancreatic Cancer is the worst cancer a person can get and the only way it is cured is to remove the tumor before it metastasizes.
Condor77 profile image

NUV-1511 drug-drug conjugate (DDC) to enter the clinical stage: phase 1

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) labeling, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) metastatic breast cancer, metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), advanced pancreatic cancer, and platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (PROC).
Maxone73 profile image

Theraglass

Due to start Gemcitabine in June for 2nd recurrence since surgery. Finished 7 months of caylex/ carbo in November. Really enjoying past 5 months of no treatment ( first time with no treatment in 3yrs). Not feeling ready to start again! Anyone else going through gemcitabine on its own and what your symptoms
Theraglass profile image
Theraglass
in My Ovacome

help me please!

I have been on the antibiotics over - a week now, and still every night without fail I’m getting the same dull ache in my testicles, in my groin and into my pelvis, and whenever I research this on google, it is telling me that it’s testicular cancer, bladder cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, pancreatic
WBA51113 profile image

Not PCa but related. Imuno therapies keeps getting better.

(the “Company”) issued a press release announcing positive interim data from its randomized phase 2 clinical trial of CAN-2409 in non-metastatic pancreatic cancer.
Scout4answers profile image

I'm happy to have advanced prostate cancer.

...well, rather than having brain cancer, or lung cancer or pancreatic cancer... In contrast, CaP is the one to choose. Oh.... we didn't choose? Most likely it was Dow Chemical (or one of the other 9 entities that produced 2-4-5-T (Agent Orange) that gave this to me. Nope, no military.
Spinel_Cutter profile image

weird stool?

hey so I'm undergoing some tests due to stomach pain, I had an ultrasound done which came back clear but I'm still terrified I have pancreatic cancer or something like that! I'm 30 years old which I know would be rare but not unheard of! Could the ultrasound miss this??
Megaaalee profile image
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