Pancreatic Cancer — What You Should Know Right Now

Pancreatic cancer can feel sudden and scary. It often shows up late because early signs are subtle. That makes knowing the common symptoms, risk factors, and next steps really useful—you can act faster and get better options.

Common symptoms and risk factors

Watch for persistent belly or upper back pain that doesn’t go away with usual measures. Jaundice (yellow skin or eyes), dark urine, and pale stools are red flags because they suggest a blocked bile duct. Unexplained weight loss, appetite loss, new or worsening diabetes, and tiredness are also common. None of these prove cancer, but together they matter.

Risk factors that raise your chance include smoking, being over 60, chronic pancreatitis, obesity, long-standing diabetes, and a family history of pancreatic or certain genetic cancers (BRCA mutations, for example). If you have several of these, mention them to your doctor sooner rather than later.

Diagnosis and treatment options

Your doctor usually starts with blood tests and imaging. A CT scan is the most common first test. MRI or endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) can give a closer look. EUS can also guide a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. A blood marker called CA 19-9 sometimes helps track disease, but it’s not a reliable screening test on its own.

Treatment depends on stage. If the tumor is operable, surgery gives the best chance—most commonly a Whipple procedure for tumors in the pancreas head. Surgery is often followed by chemotherapy to reduce recurrence risk. If the tumor is advanced or spread, chemo regimens like FOLFIRINOX or gemcitabine-based treatments are standard choices. Radiation can help in certain cases. Increasingly, targeted therapies and immunotherapy are options for patients with specific genetic markers—ask about genetic testing.

Palliative care is not a last resort. It should start early when symptoms need relief—pain control, nutrition, and emotional support make a big difference to quality of life.

Practical steps you can take now: keep notes of symptoms and when they started, list all medications and family cancer history, and bring a clear symptom list to appointments. Ask your doctor whether you’re a candidate for surgery, clinical trials, or genetic testing. If the situation is complex, request a multidisciplinary team opinion (surgeon, oncologist, radiologist, and dietitian).

Support matters. Look for local cancer support groups and dietitians who know how to manage nutrition during treatment. If you smoke, get help to quit—stopping smoking improves treatment outcomes and recovery.

If you notice persistent symptoms from the lists above, make an appointment with your primary care doctor or a gastroenterologist. Early evaluation gives you more options. You don’t have to figure this out alone—ask questions, get a second opinion, and lean on support services.