A doctor has highlighted the symptoms of what he calls the “most feared” form of cancer.
Dr Lott, a New York City-based acupuncturist with more than 300,000 followers on TikTok, regularly shares health advice on the platform. In one video, he addressed concerns from his followers about pancreatic cancer, one of the most feared forms of the disease.
According to University of Utah Health, only around 8.5% of patients diagnosed with this form of cancer survive five years post-diagnosis, making it one of the deadliest types. As there’s no routine screening test for pancreatic cancer and early diagnosis is challenging, Dr Lott outlined some basic symptoms that might prompt someone to seek medical attention.
He noted that due to the pancreas’ location, both back and abdominal pain could be indicators. The NHS states that this pain may worsen when eating or lying down and improve when leaning forward.
Dr Lott also mentioned yellow, dry itchy skin and the whites of the eyes turning yellow – signs of jaundice, which can occur if a tumour in the pancreas’ head blocks the bile duct.
Dr Lott highlighted that developing diabetes “later in life, in your 40s and 50s” could be a symptom of pancreatic cancer. He also noted that “Nausea and vomiting” are symptoms because “Because pancreatic cancer disrupts and sometimes blocks the digestive tract.”
He concluded his message by advising people to consult their doctor if they experience any of these signs.
The NHS lists symptoms of pancreatic cancer which include:
- the whites of your eyes or your skin turning yellow (jaundice). You may also have itchy skin, darker pee and paler poo than usual
- loss of appetite or losing weight without trying to
- feeling tired or having no energy
- a high temperature, or feeling hot or shivery
- feeling or being sick
- diarrhoea or constipation, or other changes in your poo
- pain at the top part of your tummy and your back, which may feel worse when you’re eating or lying down and better when you lean forward
- symptoms of indigestion, such as feeling bloated
The NHS advises seeking an urgent GP appointment if the whites of your eyes or your skin turn yellow, you’ve been sick for more than two days, or have had diarrhoea for over a week. The NHS website further states: “Some of these symptoms are very common and can be caused by other conditions. Having the symptoms does not definitely mean you have pancreatic cancer, but it’s important to get checked by a GP.”