1. Unexplained Upper Abdominal or Back Pain
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A persistent, dull pain in the upper abdomen, sometimes radiating to the back.
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Often worse when lying down or after eating.
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Can be mistaken for digestive issues or muscle strain, which is why it’s often overlooked.
Tip: If the pain is new, persistent, or increasing, especially without any obvious cause, it should be evaluated by a doctor.
2. Unexplained Weight Loss or Loss of Appetite
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Rapid or unexplained weight loss without dieting or exercise changes.
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Loss of appetite or early satiety (feeling full quickly).
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This can occur because a tumor may affect digestion or metabolism.
Tip: Even small, unexplained weight loss over a short period is a warning sign, especially in adults over 50.
Other Early Symptoms (Sometimes Present)
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Jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes, dark urine)
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New-onset diabetes or difficulty controlling existing diabetes
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Fatigue or general malaise
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Digestive problems (nausea, bloating, or fatty stools)
Important: These symptoms are not exclusive to pancreatic cancer—they can appear in other conditions—but persistent or combined symptoms should prompt medical evaluation.
Bottom Line
Early pancreatic cancer is often silent or subtle. Upper abdominal/back pain and unexplained weight loss are two of the most common early warning signs. Recognizing them early can save lives, so medical attention is crucial if these appear.
If you want, I can make a simple visual “Pancreatic Cancer Early Warning Signs” chart highlighting the two main signs plus other red flags for quick reference. It’s very practical for awareness.
Do you want me to make that?
