Coping with PANCREATIC CANCER

This disease grows from different cells in the pancreas, an organ by the stomach

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The pancreas makes enzymes that digest your food, and makes hormones, such as insulin. Anyone can get pancreatic cancer, and the cause isn't usually obvious, but it's more common in the over 65s or if you've had medical conditions such as chronic pancreatitis or a family history of it, and it may also be linked to lifestyle.

Try to manage your weight, cut down on red and processed meat and alcohol, and quit smoking. You may have no symptoms initially, then you may notice loss of appetite, losing weight without trying, tiredness, fever, nausea/vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation, indigestion or bloating, pain at the top of your abdomen and your back. Your eyes or skin may turn yellow (jaundice), with itchiness, dark pee and pale poo.

If your symptoms persist, see your GP. If your symptoms are caused by cancer, finding it early makes it easier to treat.