Experts say that knowing the subtle early symptoms of pancreatic cancer – including changes in hygiene habits – could play a crucial role in increasing survival.
Currently, most of the 10,000 people diagnosed with the disease each year die within three months, and part of the problem is that it is often detected too late.
A well-known sufferer of this disease, former England manager Sven Goron-Eriksson, recently issued a public farewell message as he faces his final months of life.
The football legend, who appears in a newly released Amazon Prime documentary about his life, was diagnosed in January.
To coincide, Action against pancreatic cancer urges the public to be alert for “hidden” warning signs of the disease, which are often overlooked.
Awareness of changes in energy levels, pain, and physical appearance can make a difference in early detection of pancreatic cancer.
One high-profile patient, former England manager Sven Goron-Eriksson, was diagnosed in January and recently issued a public farewell as he faces his final months of life.
The football legend, pictured with his ex-partner Nancy Dell’Olio, appears in a newly released Amazon Prime documentary about his life.
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most common and misdiagnosed cancers because of its vague symptoms, experts say.
More than 43 percent of patients first learn they have the disease during an emergency room visit, after having visited their primary care physician several times before.
The only cure is surgery, and by the time a patient is in the kind of pain that warrants a trip to the emergency room, surgery is likely no longer an option because the cancer has spread to other areas of the body.
Currently, eight in ten patients are diagnosed when surgery is no longer an option, and at least one person every hour dies from pancreatic cancer in the UK.
Other famous victims include Harry Potter star Alan Rickman, who died in January 2016 aged 69.
The Professor Snape actor was diagnosed in August last 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 passed away in September 2009 at the age of 57.
Pancreatic Cancer Action emphasizes that being aware of changes in energy levels, pain and physical appearance can make a difference in early detection and cure.
The charity is urging the public to look out for common early symptoms, which can include persistent fatigue or a sudden drop in energy.
Another sign is abdominal or back pain, especially if it starts as a mild discomfort and gets worse over time.
Abdominal pain that gets worse over time and changes in bowel habits, including steatorrhea (fatty stools). You may have frequent, large, pale, foul-smelling bowel movements that are difficult to pass.
Patrick Swayze, star of Ghost and Dirty Dancing, died in September 2009 at the age of 57, 20 months after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Other famous people affected include Harry Potter star Alan Rickman, who died in January 2016 aged 69. The Professor Snape actor was diagnosed in August the previous year after suffering a stroke.
Unexplained weight loss and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) are also telltale symptoms.
Changes in the color of stool or urine are just as often overlooked.
One of them is a symptom called steatorrhea, which means fatty stools. Those affected may have frequent, abundant, pale, foul-smelling bowel movements that are difficult to pass.
These intestinal changes are due to blockages of the pancreatic ducts, which are a vital part of the digestive system, and can mean that food is not absorbed properly.
Diarrhea and constipation are also other possible intestinal changes.
Dark urine is another symptom of jaundice, which occurs when a tumor in the pancreas blocks the bile duct, another part of the digestive system.
This causes bilirubin, a waste product of the liver, to build up in the body and pass into the bloodstream, eventually appearing in the urine, turning it dark yellow or orange.
One patient, Dan Godley, believes recognising the early signs played a crucial role in his survival.
Initially, Dan Godley attributed his stomach pain to a food allergy, but after three months he booked an appointment with a doctor.
Dan feels that persistence in seeking medical advice, despite seemingly mild symptoms, was key to detecting his cancer early, and it has been successfully treated.
The marathon runner, from Stoke-on-Trent, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2021, at the age of 28.
He says: “It all started in the summer of 2020, with a tightness in my abdomen every night when I went to bed.”
At first she attributed it to a food allergy, but after three months she made an appointment with a doctor.
“The ultrasound didn’t show anything and suggested it was constipation,” Dan says.
The following spring, when her symptoms worsened, she visited her family doctor, who ordered blood tests.
“All the tests came back negative. I was told nothing more needed to be done,” Dan recalls.
Despite this, and knowing that something was wrong, she persisted. Finally, when the pain became intense, she went to the emergency room.
“Five weeks later, I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer,” says Dan, who adds that his persistence in seeking medical advice, despite seemingly mild symptoms, was key to detecting his cancer early.
He has now been successfully treated and is cancer-free.
“Time is of the essence when it comes to pancreatic cancer,” says Joe Kirwin, executive director of Pancreatic Cancer Action.
‘We encourage everyone to trust their instincts and seek medical attention if they notice any unusual symptoms, no matter how minor they may seem.
“Early diagnosis saves lives and Dan’s story is a testament to that.”