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Symptoms & Risk Factors

Pancreatic cancer is currently the third leading cause of cancer related deaths in the United States, positioned to be second leading cause by 2025, according to the American Cancer Society.

Symptoms

Pancreatic cancer often doesn’t cause symptoms until the disease is advanced. Mayo Clinic says when they happen, signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer may include:

  • Belly pain that spreads to the sides or back.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Weight loss.
  • Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, called jaundice.
  • Light-colored or floating stools.
  • Dark-colored urine.
  • Itching.
  • New diagnosis of diabetes or diabetes that’s getting harder to control.
  • Pain and swelling in an arm or leg, which might be caused by a blood clot.
  • Tiredness or weakness

Risk factors

  • Smoking.
  • Type 2 diabetes.
  • Chronic inflammation of the pancreas, called pancreatitis.
  • Family history of DNA changes that can increase cancer risk. These include changes in the BRCA2 gene, Lynch syndrome and familial atypical multiple mole melanoma (FAMMM) syndrome.
  • Family history of pancreatic cancer.
  • Obesity.
  • Older age. Most people with pancreatic cancer are over 65.
  • Drinking a lot of alcohol

Prevention

Screening for people with a high risk of pancreatic cancer

Screening uses tests to look for signs of pancreatic cancer in people who don’t have symptoms. It might be an option if you have a very high risk of pancreatic cancer. Your risk might be high if you have a strong family history of pancreatic cancer or if you have an inherited DNA change that increases the risk of cancer.

Pancreatic cancer screening might involve imaging tests, such as MRI and ultrasound. These tests are generally repeated every year.

The goal of screening is to find pancreatic cancer when it’s small and most likely to be cured. Research is ongoing, so it’s not yet clear whether screening can lower the risk of dying of pancreatic cancer. There are risks to screening. This includes the chance of finding something that requires surgery but later turns out to not be cancer.

Talk about the benefits and risks of pancreatic cancer screening with your health care team. Together you can decide whether screening is right for you.

Genetic testing for cancer risk

If you have a family history of pancreatic cancer, discuss it with a health care professional. The health professional can review your family history and help you understand whether genetic testing might be right for you.

Genetic testing can find DNA changes that run in families and increase the risk of cancer. If you’re interested in genetic testing, you might be referred to a genetic counselor or other health care professional trained in genetics.

You can view an up to date list of genetic counselors in Metro Detroit by clicking here. 

For more information and siting, please visit the Mayo Clinic website.