Pancreatic cancer is a form of cancer that develops within the pancreas, an organ that lies behind the lower part of your stomach. The main causes of pancreatic cancer development may include genetics (or a family history of pancreatic cancer), smoking, obesity, alcoholism, diabetes, and existing rare inherited conditions (i.e., pancreatitis and Lynch syndrome, etc.).

Early stage pancreatic cancer usually displays few or subtle symptoms, meaning the cancer can develop unnoticed. That’s why it’s important to talk to your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms:

1. Abdominal pain

A key symptom of pancreatic cancer may include a painful sensation in the abdominal area. This is most likely due to a growing tumor causing pressure on the stomach. This pain can be mild or severe, depending on the patient. Lying on your back tends to make the pain worse as pressure is put on the tumor, but leaning forward can ease the pain.

2. Loss of appetite

Another symptom that is associated with pancreatic cancer is the loss of appetite. This is because when the tumor grows, it presses into other organs. As blockages or pressure occurs, it can result in a loss of appetite, along with vomiting and nausea. This symptom can affect patients in varying degrees. Sometimes a patient can lose a lot of weight, which can further complicate the cancer. Even if you are experiencing appetite loss, it is important to keep up normal eating in order not to lose too much weight too quickly.

3. Changes in bowel movements

The pancreas is responsible for helping with digestion, as well as releasing enzymes that help process stool. In the case of pancreatic cancer, either constipation or diarrhea can occur. Usually diarrhea symptoms occur first, but pain medication that many cancer patients use can then lead to constipation. In either case, it is important to stay hydrated to help keep bowel movements as regular as possible.

4. Itchy skin

Itching is common with allergies or skin irritation, but it can also be a telltale sign of pancreatic cancer. Itching caused by pancreatic cancer will usually intensify over the course of a couple of weeks. The itching can be triggered by contact with water, causing skin irritation after washing dishes, taking a shower, or going swimming. If this itching is severe enough, a patient might struggle with scratching the area, leading to even more irritated skin. If itching doesn’t resolve itself, see a doctor for help.

5 Jaundice

Another key sign that you may have pancreatic cancer may be jaundice, which causes the skin, whites of the eyes, and the mucous membranes to turn yellow. It can also cause severe itching of the skin. Note that jaundice is not exclusively a cancer symptom, but could also be caused by hepatitis or gallstones.

If you have any of these symptoms, consult with a doctor immediately to talk about what your next steps should be.