Doctors have warned of the 4 ‘minor’ health problems that can be linked to pancreatic cancer – and advised people to be vigilant and to see a GP if they are concerned
Health experts have warned how four problems affecting the legs that are usually considered “minor” could actually be warning signs of cancer.
Doctors have revealed that deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can, in some cases, be a warning sign of pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer is a form of cancer that’s known to be notoriously challenging to treat, so catching it early is vital.
That’s why doctors recommend that it’s best to always get any leg-related health issues checked out, even when they don’t appear to be serious – especially in anyone who’s slightly older. Health professionals have shared four key tell-tale signs that could indicate that something more serious is going on, reports BirminghamMail.
The leg-related symptoms that may signal pancreatic cancer include pain, swelling, redness, and warmth. Because of where the pancreas is located within the body, detecting pancreatic cancer can be difficult, which is why doctors are urging people to be vigilant over leg health.
Problems with blood clots and thrombosis can be tell-tale signs of a more serious issue, because pancreatic cancer puts blood into a hyoer-coagulative state, causing excessive blood clotting. But, while a blood clot can be a sign of pancreatic cancer, The Cancer Society cautions: “Having a blood clot does not usually mean that you have cancer. Most blood clots are caused by other things.”
Nevertheless, pancreatic cancer remains a top killer due to its sneaky nature with non-obvious signals like dropping weight unintentionally and stomach aches while standing tough against treatments. Dr Santhi Swaroop Vege from Mayo Clinic says that despite medical progress the five-year survival rate hangs at seven per cent, stressing the importance of catching it early.
Due to its location within the body, the pancreas often eludes early diagnosis, with many cases discovered at advanced stages presenting symptoms such as abdominal pain and jaundice. Doctor Vege told the News Network: “That’s one of the biggest problems we face. Usually, these people will have indigestion, and acid reflux, before finally somebody thinks of a CT scan.”
