Is This a Symptom of Pancreatic Cancer?

Before we discuss the symptoms of pancreatic cancer in more detail, let's have a look at the disease's definition first. Pancreatic cancer, also referred to as pancreatic carcinoma, is a cancerous health condition in which a malignant tumor growths in the pancreas.

This form of cancer is typically rather slow growing and only limited treatment options are available, which are all strongly depended on the stage of the disease and the patient's overall health.

Pancreatic cancer in its early stage may not show any symptoms at all. This of course, makes the detection rather difficult. Ergo before a conclusive diagnosis is typically made, the cancer has already advanced to a later stage.

The fact of the matter is, once the cancer has already spread the chances of treating it effectively, let alone curing it, decrease proportionally. Therefore, it is highly advisable to consult with an expert health care professional to seek adequate medical attention even at the slightest encounter of the symptoms listed below.

And I'm not just saying this, I in fact have a good reason for emphasizing this point as it might have saved my life; I encountered blood in my urine back in September of 2009. On the first day I didn't think too much of it, primarily because I was in no pain. On day number two, though, I told my wife and she insisted on making an appointment with an Urologist. Three weeks later I was diagnosed with kidney cancer. A 6.2 cm tumor had consumed my left kidney entirely and the organ had to be removed via a laparoscopic robotic radical nephrectomy. Fortunately, the cancer was confined to the kidney and had not spread any further yet. Otherwise, my prognosis would have been significantly worse.

But let's go back to the symptoms of pancreatic cancer. The early signs include abdominal pain, jaundice (which is a when the skin and the eyes have a yellowish appearance), fatigue, nausea, vomiting, dark urine, loss of weight and appetite.

At later stages of the disease, other less common pancreatic cancer symptoms are seen in patients, such as depression and mood swings, blood clotting, indigestion and diarrhea.

I am not a friend of numbers and statistics when it comes to survival rates of cancers. But I think it is a reasonable statement to say that pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis. And that is not because it is a particularly aggressive form, however, due to the fact that in the vast majority of diagnoses the disease is already at an advanced stage.

In order to reduce the risk of developing pancreatic cancer, it is advisable to watch your body weight and avoid smoking. The healthier and fitter you are, the less like it is that you develop any kind of serious health conditions.

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Bowel Cancer - Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Care

Bowel cancer is also known by many as colorectal cancer. It is a common cancer, slow to develop, with over 34,000 people diagnosed in the UK each year. Over 80% of people diagnosed with bowel cancer are over 60 years old. The symptoms of the disease can include changes in bowel habits, consistent diarrhoea or constipation, blood or mucus in the faeces, tiredness and weight loss or a pain or lump in the abdomen.

The exact cause of the cancer remains unknown but there are several factors that make people at more risk. Research suggests that diet may be a factor; those with a diet high in animal fat and protein and low in fibre have an increased risk of developing bowel cancer. Also those who have a high intake of alcohol may be at greater risk. People with a history of bowel cancer in the family may have a slightly higher risk of developing the disease but only 5-10% of sufferers have family members with the same illness.

If you think you have any of the symptoms of this cancer you should visit your GP straight away as early diagnosis and treatment are important for controlling the disease. The doctor will do a physical examination and refer you to a hospital specialist if they think a cancer may be present.

There are three tests that may be conducted by hospital specialists to diagnose the cancer;

Barium enema which is a special x-ray of the large bowel where a mixture of barium and air is passed through the back passage into the bowel, the doctor can then watch the passage of the barium through the bowel on the x-ray screen and any abnormal areas can be seen.

Proctoscopy / Sigmoidoscopy is where air is pumped into the bowel and then a tube with a tiny light and camera is passed into the bowel so any abnormal areas can be seen. This test may be uncomfortable but not painful.

Colonoscopies are done when the doctor needs to see the whole length of the large bowel, the bowel must be empty and a colonoscope is passed into the bowel. This is a long flexible tube with a light and camera on the end to help show abnormal areas and swelling. During the test photos and samples of the cells on the inside of the large bowel can be taken. A sedative is usually given to make the procedure more comfortable.

Treatment depends on the stage and position of the cancer. Cancers affecting the colon and those affecting the rectum are usually treated in different ways. Patients with early stage cancer contained within the bowel wall can usually be completely cured with surgery. If the cancer has spread through the muscle of the bowel wall and into the lymph nodes there is a chance the cancer may return so chemotherapy is often done along with the surgery. People with rectal cancer may also be given radiotherapy before or after surgery.

With advanced stage bowel cancer where the cancer has spread to other parts of the body such as abdomen, liver and lungs it is not usually possible to fully cure but treatment may be able to control it for a long time, by reducing symptoms and giving a good quality of life.

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