Pancreatic cancer starts in the pancreas tissues. The pancreas is an organ in the abdomen that lies underneath the lower end of the stomach. It is responsible for releasing enzymes, facilitating digestion, and producing hormones that regulate blood sugar levels. Pancreatic cancer rarely is detected in the early stages. Thus, it is vital to be aware of the early warning symptoms of pancreatic cancer.

  Early warning symptoms of pancreatic cancer

1. Jaundice
As pancreatic cancer curtails the duct responsible for the bile release into the intestine, the bile ingredients accumulate in the blood. This can lead to the yellowing of the skin and eyes or jaundice. Moreover, the blockage is also responsible for causing itching, light-colored stools, and dark urine. 

2. Belly pain
Pain in the back, abdomen, or belly is also one of the early warning symptoms of pancreatic cancer. It occurs when cancer begins in the pancreas. These can grow in size and press onto the nearby organs, causing body pain. Cancer also transfers to the nerves that envelope the pancreas, which results in back pain. Of course, back pain or abdomen pain is a common symptom and may not always be associated with pancreatic cancer, but you must get yourself examined if the pain is persistent.  

3. Greasy or light-colored stools
Bilirubin is responsible for the brown color of the stool. When the bile duct is blocked, the stool is gray or light-colored. Further, if the pancreatic enzymes and bile cannot get through to the intestines to break down the fats, the stools turn greasy. Consequently, they mostly float in the toilet. 

4. Bloating
Pancreatic cancer can lead to digestive problems, which might lead to bloating or gas. Pancreatic cancer can also result in ascites, a build-up of excess fluid around the abdomen. They may lead to stretching or swelling of the belly.

5. Weight loss
Pancreatic cancer leads to loss of appetite, which may become the cause of weight loss. As pancreatic cancer leads to hormone production, it makes it challenging for the body to avail of the necessary nutrients from food. So, despite eating a normal diet, you lose weight or are malnourished. 

6. Liver or gallbladder enlargement
When cancer curtails the bile duct, it can form a build-up in the gallbladder. Consequently, the gallbladder grows in size. It can be felt as a lump around the ribcage’s right side by your doctor during a physical examination. It may also be visible on the imaging tests.

7. Digestive problems
Nausea, indigestion, and loss of appetite are some of the prevalent causes of pancreatic cancer in people. The symptoms usually appear when the disease hampers a person’s ability to absorb nutrients and digest food. It may also happen when the tumor slows down or blocks the digestive processes.