SIGNS of pancreatic cancer can be hard to spot.
The disease – dubbed a ‘silent killer’ due to its subtle symptoms – can cause tummy and back pain, unexplained weight loss and indigestion.
Your poo could hint at whether you might have the disease, according to experts
According to Cancer Research UK, pancreatic cancer is the tenth most common cancer in the UK and incidence rates are highest in people aged 85 to 89.
Rates are projected to rise by 5 per cent in the UK between 2023 and 2040, the charity added.
But there are certain tell-tale signs you can spot in your poo which could warn you that you have pancreatic cancer.
1. Pale and greasy poop
You might notice that your poo is paler-coloured and oily – this can happen if pancreatic cancer affects your digestion, so that fat in your food isn’t digested properly.
This change to your number twos is called steatorrhea and can also be a sign of celiac disease.
According to Cancer Research UK, steatorrhea happens if your pancreatic duct is blocked.
2. Floaters
Increased fat in your poo could also could also lead them to float and be difficult to flush down the toilet.
Floating poops could also be a sign of gastrointestinal disorders, stomach infections or even lactose intolerance.
3. Foul smelling number twos
According to gastroenterologist Dr Sameer Islam from Texas, US: “Your poop is not supposed to be smelling good.”
“Even if your stool smells terrible, that doesn’t mean that something bad is going on,” he says.
But Pancreatic Cancer UK said to watch out if your poo is ‘large, bulky, [and] smells horrible’.
4. Diarrhoea
You might notice that food is passing through you quickly and you’re having diarrhoea.
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network said: “Diarrhoea consisting of loose, watery, oily or foul-smelling stools can be caused by insufficient amounts of pancreatic enzymes in the intestines.
“This leads to malabsorption as undigested food passes quickly through the digestive tract.”
5. Constipation
On top of diarrhoea, many pancreatic cancer patients experience constipation.
It’s common particularly in people taking pain medications, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network flagged.
“These medications slow the passage of food through the intestines,” it explained.
“If the digestive system works too slowly, it can cause stools to become dry, hard and difficult to pass.”
6. Needing to poo lots
You might have the need to empty your bowels urgently, especially after eating, which can be caused by problems digesting food, according to Pancreatic Cancer UK.
Passing of watery stools more than three times a day is something to watch out for, Pancreatic Cancer Action said.
Feeling bloated and having wind are also digestive issue red flags.
Constipation and diarrhoea are both quite common. And if you have a condition like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) you might get both – as well as tummy pain and bloating or indigestion – quite regularly.
It’s important to get symptoms you aren’t used to checked out by a GP, NHS guidance said.
Pancreatic Cancer Action said you should do so ‘if a change in your bowels keeps happening or lasts longer than a week’.
“It does not mean you have pancreatic cancer but is important to investigate and your GP may be able to resolve your symptoms easily,” the charity said.
It suggested you keep a symptoms diary – this will help you keep track of what you’re experiencing and could be useful when visiting your GP.
The NHS said you should speak to 111 if:
- the whites of your eyes or your skin turn yellow
- you’re being sick for more than 2 days
- you have diarrhoea for more than 7 days
- you have symptoms that you’re worried about, but are not sure where to get help
As with all cancers, there are certain things can increase the risk of developing the disease.
According to Cancer Research UK cigarettes, cigars, pipes and chewing tobacco all increase pancreatic cancer risk. They found that nearly 1 in 3 pancreatic cancers (about 30 per cent) may be linked to smoking.
Heavy drinking is also a risk factor, as is being overweight and having diabetes. Pancreatic cancer can also sometimes run in families.
