Pancreatic cancer: The sign to spot when laying horizontally – ‘eased by sitting forward’
PANCREATIC cancer has one of the lowest survival rates. Sadly, around five percent of patients with the condition survive for 10 or more years. However, 37 percent of cases are preventable. The sooner a person acts, the better their chances of survival. One symptom to look out for, is in your back.
Olivia Williams discusses ‘bizarre’ symptom of pancreatic cancer
As mentioned, one symptom of pancreatic cancer may be present in your back.
Patients may feel pain at the top of their abdomen or their back.
This pain can get worse when they are lying down, eating or feel better when they lean forward.
As well as pain in your back, people who suffer with pancreatic cancer symptoms experience sensations of feeling tired or having no energy.
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A high temperature is also experienced alongside feeling hot or shivery.
Diarrhoea, constipation, and other changes in your poo can be symptoms of pancreatic cancer say the NHS.
So can indigestion and feeling bloated.
While these symptoms may sound rather mundane for such a serious condition, the NHS says “if you have another condition like irritable bowel syndrome you might get symptoms like these regularly”.
Nevertheless, it is still recommended that you should see your GP if your symptoms get worse or continue to stay the same.
With regards to reducing your risk of getting pancreatic cancer, there are a number of things people can and cannot change.
For example, people cannot change their age and genes.
If someone is over the age of 75 or there is a history of pancreatic cancer in the family, this increases their risk.
There are ways for people to reduce their risk of developing pancreatic cancer.
Losing weight and cutting down on how much red and processed meat will reduce someone’s risk.
As will cutting down on alcohol, by cutting down to no more than 14 units a week.
This is the equivalent of around six low alcohol beers.
Similarly, to other cancers, quitting smoking also reduces a person’s risk.
Treatment for pancreatic cancer will depend on the size and type of pancreatic cancer a patient has.
So will where it is, if it has spread and the person’s health in general.
Treatments may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and supportive care.