Pancreatic cancer is the ninth most common cancer for women and the 12th most common cancer for men in the UK1. While most people don’t have any symptoms when pancreatic cancer is in its early stages, there are several you should know about. As such, you’re likely wondering, what are the first warning signs of pancreatic cancer?
Read on to learn more about the pancreas, how symptoms can differ depending on the type and location of the cancer, and which early detection imaging tests can potentially improve outcomes.
Anatomy and Function of the Pancreas
The pancreas is an organ in the digestive system with many important functions. It has four main parts: the head, neck, body, and tail2. It’s located in the abdomen behind the stomach and next to the first part of the small intestine, the duodenum.
It’s also near the gallbladder and liver, connected to them by tubes called the bile ducts and pancreatic ducts3. The liver, gallbladder, and pancreas are necessary for transporting bile and digestive enzymes for the digestion of food.
The pancreas has two main types of cells: exocrine and endocrine4. The exocrine gland is responsible for secreting enzymes that help us digest food. The endocrine gland secretes hormones, including insulin and glucagon, to manage blood sugar levels.
The pancreas has two main types of cells: exocrine and endocrine4. The exocrine gland is responsible for secreting enzymes that help us digest food. The endocrine gland secretes hormones, including insulin and glucagon, to manage blood sugar levels.
Types of Pancreatic Cancer
People can develop pancreatic cancer from either exocrine or endocrine cells5. The most common type of pancreatic exocrine cancer is pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Pancreatic endocrine cancer, or neuroendocrine cancer, is quite rare, making up around 4 per cent of all pancreatic cancer cases.
Pancreatic Cancer Risk Factors
There are many known risk factors for developing pancreatic cancer. It’s more common in older men, possibly because men tend to smoke more than women. Smoking is a major risk factor, accounting for around 20 per cent of pancreatic cancers in the UK6.
Those who consume more than the daily recommended amount of alcohol (more than two drinks per day for men and more than one for women) may also be at higher risk. This is especially the case for those with a history of chronic pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).
People with a family history of pancreatic cancer are also at higher risk, as some genetic mutations that increase the risk of various cancers, such as pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer, can be inherited or passed down. Other risk factors include type 2 diabetes and obesity.
What Are the First Warning Signs of Pancreatic Cancer?
Many times, pancreatic cancer doesn’t cause symptoms in its early stages. While this makes it very difficult to diagnose, it also highlights the importance of early detection. Research has shown that people who are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer with no symptoms have a better prognosis than those who have symptoms7.
What Are the Most Common Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms?
Although people can be asymptomatic, there are potential symptoms of pancreatic cancer to know about. Let’s take a closer look8.
- Abdominal pain: This can be a deep, dull pain that may start in the stomach area. The pain can also be sharp and move to the right shoulder if there’s a pancreatic tumour blocking the tube connecting to the gallbladder.
- Jaundice: This is the yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes.
- Back pain: Since the pancreas is an organ located deep in the abdomen, sometimes the pain from pancreatic cancer can radiate or move to the back.
- Change in colour of the stool or urine: Light-coloured stool and dark urine can be a symptom of pancreatic cancer when there’s a blockage connecting the tubes from the gallbladder, leading to a buildup.
- Itchy skin: This can be due to the buildup of bilirubin in the skin.
Other symptoms may include:
- Indigestion
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Bloating
- Unexplained weight loss
Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms Can Vary Based On Location
Symptoms can vary depending on the tumour's location in the pancreas. For example, a tumour in the head of the pancreas can block the common bile duct, which can cause the gallbladder to become distended with bile9. This can lead to right upper abdominal pain due to gallbladder inflammation, also called cholecystitis. In such cases, pain is often associated with nausea, vomiting, and jaundice.
Tumours of the body or tail of the pancreas are much less common, making up only one-third of all pancreatic cancers10. These tend to present much later and are more advanced as they take longer to cause symptoms.
Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms Can Vary Based on Type
Symptoms may also depend on the type of pancreatic cancer. Neuroendocrine tumours of the pancreas can secrete different hormones, leading to various symptoms. For example, a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour that secretes insulin, also known as an insulinoma, can cause symptoms associated with low blood sugar11. These symptoms can include lightheadedness, confusion, weakness, and loss of consciousness.
Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms Related to Complications
Other symptoms that develop can arise from complications of pancreatic cancer. One condition commonly associated with pancreatic cancer is blood clots12. This can happen in the blood vessels around the tumour and throughout the body. Blood clots can even appear on the skin, a condition called Trousseau syndrome, or migratory superficial thrombophlebitis13.
Another known complication of pancreatic cancer is type 2 diabetes14. As cancer invades the pancreas, the cells that make insulin are invaded, resulting in elevated blood sugar and leading to diabetes over time. Pancreatic cancer is also known to increase insulin resistance, meaning it takes more and more insulin to keep blood sugar levels stable.
Does Pancreatic Cancer Show Up on Bloodwork?
Currently, there’s no single blood test that can detect pancreatic cancer. When someone has symptoms suggestive of pancreatic cancer, a series of blood tests is done in combination with imaging tests to support a diagnosis. Some blood tests include:
- Liver function tests: These tests can show levels of bilirubin and liver enzymes, which can be indicators that something is abnormal in the biliary system15. A buildup of bilirubin can happen from pancreatic tumours blocking the bile ducts.
- Pancreatic enzymes: Lipase and amylase are blood tests often checked when someone has pain consistent with pancreatitis. These enzymes are elevated in pancreatitis and can also be elevated in some cases of pancreatic cancer16.
- Tumour markers: Blood tests can measure tumour markers, which can be elevated in certain types of cancer. Serum carbohydrate antigen, or CA 19-9, and carcinoembryonic antigen, CEA, can both be elevated in pancreatic cancer17. These tests are not used independently for diagnosis, but can be helpful alongside certain imaging tests.
- Genetic testing: Genetic testing can be helpful if someone has a family history of pancreatic cancer and may be at risk for a specific genetic mutation that increases their risk18.
What Tests Are There If Someone Has Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms?
Many imaging tests and procedures can help in diagnosing pancreatic cancer. Imaging tests include computed tomography (CT scan) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Procedures such as endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) are an accurate method to get pancreatic tumour biopsies to confirm the diagnosis19.
What Are Pancreatic Cancer Treatment Options?
Pancreatic cancer treatment depends on the type, location, and whether it’s localised (limited to the pancreas) or has metastasised (spread to other parts of the body). Treatment options may include surgical resection or removal of the tumour, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy20. Cancer care also focuses on controlling common symptoms such as pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Is There a Way to Screen for Pancreatic Cancer?
While there’s no current recommendation for regular screening for pancreatic cancer in people of average risk, there are recommendations in place for those who are at high risk. High-risk people include those with a family history of pancreatic cancer or those with a genetic syndrome or genetic mutation that increases their risk of pancreatic cancer21.
Know Your Risk (Even Before Symptoms Arise)
Even if you don’t smoke, consume alcohol in moderation, and exercise regularly to live a healthier lifestyle, it can still be hard to know if you’re at risk of developing pancreatic cancer.
Aside from knowing what the first warning signs of pancreatic cancer are, one quick and easy way to assess your risk is Ezra’s cancer risk calculator. This free tool can give you a better idea of your risk of pancreatic cancer in just five minutes.
Be Proactive Now for Your Future
Unsurprisingly, pancreatic cancer has better outcomes when caught early. Since most cases don’t cause symptoms in their early stages, it’s hard to diagnose early to optimise outcomes.
However, when people are diagnosed when their pancreatic cancer is localised, their five-year survival rate is up to 10 times higher than those who have cancer that has already spread upon diagnosis22.
It’s time to take it one step further by considering Ezra’s MRI Scan, which assesses 14 organs (including the pancreas) and can potentially catch 500 medical conditions. This not only arms you and your family with information but also gives you the peace of mind that you’re being proactive about your health and future. Don’t wait until you have symptoms. Take charge of your health today.
Understand your risk for cancer with our 5 minute quiz.
Our scan is designed to detect potential cancer early.
References
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18. What should I do if I think I have a family history of pancreatic cancer? Pancreatic Cancer UK. Accessed November 13, 2025. https://www.pancreaticcancer.org.uk/information/family-history-of-pancreatic-cancer/what-should-i-do-if-i-think-i-have-a-family-history-of-pancreatic-cancer/
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