A “worrying” number of people put off seeking help for symptoms of one of the deadliest types of cancer, a charity has warned.
Pancreatic cancer is one of the hardest cancers to detect as symptoms are often vague, or non-existent in some cases, meaning people are not diagnosed until a very late stage.
A new survey of 2,000 British adults, conducted by Savanta ComRes on behalf of Pancreatic Cancer UK, found that 28% of people would wait around three months before seeking advice from their GP after suffering symptoms of the disease.
The survey also found that 31% would delay getting help even longer than usual due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
More than 10,000 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the UK, according to Pancreatic Cancer UK, but the disease is detected at a late stage for around four in five people.
Sadly, half of these people die within three months of getting their diagnoses as the cancer is too progressed to be able to treat.
However, early detection does give people better odds of survival, so the charity is urging people to seek help if they suffer from any of the key symptoms for more than four weeks.
Diana Jupp, chief executive of Pancreatic Cancer UK, said: “It is hugely worrying to hear that so many people would put off seeking help for so long.
“There is no time to wait with pancreatic cancer. Thousands of people a year are told it’s too late, that nothing can be done for them. It is vital that people are diagnosed as early as possible to give them the best chance of having life-saving treatment.
“We do not want people to panic if they have some or all of these symptoms, because most people who do will not have pancreatic cancer.
“But it is absolutely vital that people learn more about this disease, talk to their loved ones and their GPs, and help us end the culture of silence around the deadliest common cancer in the UK.”
Listed are the key warning symptoms of pancreatic cancer. If you experience any of these persistently for more than four weeks, you should seek advice from your GP.
1. Jaundice
The whites of your eyes, or under your skin, may turn yellow due to a build-up of a substance called bilirubin in your body. This can be caused by various things, including pancreatitis, but could be a sign of pancreatic cancer. Photo: Shutterstock
2. Changes in urine and poo
Darker coloured urine and light-coloured stools can also be an early sign of jaundice, which can be a symptom of pancreatic cancer. This is due to bilirubin levels in the blood. This can also build up in the skin, causing it to itch and turn yellow. Photo: Shutterstock
3. Stomach and back pain
Pains in your tummy and back are common signs of pancreatic cancer and may start with a general discomfort or tenderness in your stomach and spread to your back. The pain may feel worse when you are eating or lying down, and feel better while leaning forward. Photo: Shutterstock
4. Indigestion
If you have indigestion you may suffer with a painful burning feeling in your chest, feel full or bloated, feel sick, or bring up food or bitter-tasting fluids into your mouth. While it can be a symptom of pancreatic cancer, it is also a symptom of other common problems, so you should speak to your GP if you suffer with it a lot. Photo: Shutterstock