New symptoms identified that could help doctors diagnose pancreatic cancer

 

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/933985

 

  News Release 8-Nov-2021
Peer-Reviewed Publication
National Cancer Research Institute

 

Researchers have identified a series of symptoms associated with pancreatic cancer, including two previously unrecognised symptoms – feeling thirsty and having dark urine – in a study presented today (Monday) at the NCRI Festival.[1]

The study has confirmed a further 21 signs of pancreatic cancer and shown that patients often have some symptoms of the disease up to a year before their cancers are diagnosed, and other alarming symptoms three months before diagnosis.

The researchers hope their findings could improve survival by helping GPs diagnose the disease earlier, especially when patients present with several seemingly non-specific symptoms.

Pancreatic cancer has the lowest survival among all common cancers, with five-year survival around 7% in the UK. Unfortunately, most people with pancreatic cancer are diagnosed at a late stage.

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