Irving, TX, Feb 22, 2019 – The pancreas is an organ that produces juices that aid in making hormones and digesting food. They include glucagon and insulin, which help in controlling the level of sugar in the blood. Exocrine pancreas cells are major producers of digestive juices. Most pancreatic cancers begin in exocrine cells.

“Pancreatic cancer is treatable if detected early, but its symptoms are often subtle,” explained Susan Echt. “The pancreas is situated deep inside the body, which is why it's difficult to detect early tumors using standard physical examinations. In most cases, the disease is discovered later on in its advanced stages when treatment may not work effectively.”

Here are some common warning signs indicating the presence of pancreatic cancer:

• Light colored stools – Normal stool appears brown because of the presence of bilirubin – a substance secreted by the liver. When there's a blockage in the bile duct due to pancreatic cancer, the stool appears pale or grey. The disease can also cause the intestine to fail to break down fats, making the stools greasy and light.

• Jaundice – A bilirubin buildup causes yellowing of the skin and eyes. Cancers that occur in the pancreas' head are often near the bile duct. When it presses on the duct, it causes jaundice, a sign of pancreatic cancer. This symptom can help detect the tumor early. Cancers that start in the tail or body of the pancreas are not easy to find until they have spread through the organ and beyond. Dark urine may also a sign of jaundice, and the buildup of bilirubin can cause itchy skin.

• Pain in the belly or back - Abdominal or back pain is a common symptom of pancreatic cancer. Cancer that starts in the tail or body of the pancreas usually presses on nearby organs as it grows large. This causes back/belly pain, especially when they spread to the nerves surrounding the pancreas.

“Pancreatic cancer is a deadly disease," concluded Echt. "It is therefore important to go for screening when you notice the symptoms above. Your physician will perform imaging tests to determine if cancer is present."

About The Sandler-Kenner Foundation

The Sandler-Kenner Foundation, established in 2007 as the Las Colinas Cancer Center Foundation, was renamed in early 2011 in the memory of Michael Sandler and Peter Kenner, both of whom passed away from pancreatic cancer, a lethal disease that is difficult to diagnose until it has reached an advanced stage.

Visit them at https://helpfightpancreaticcancer.org/facts-about-pancreatic-cancer/signs-symptoms/ to know more.