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NHS Shares Two Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms That Can Show Up On The Skin
Two signs may show up on the skin (Image: Getty Images/Viktoriya Skorikova)
The NHS wants people to be aware of the common symptoms of pancreatic cancer, referred to by some as a "silent killer". Pancreatic cancer is known as such because it is often difficult to detect until it has progressed, and it has the highest mortality rate of all cancers.
Survival rates are poor, with just 25% of those who are diagnosed surviving more than a year. Only 5% live for ten years or more after being told they have pancreatic cancer.
A new update on X, formerly Twitter, from the official NHS account reads: "Symptoms of pancreatic cancer can be caused by lots of things, which can make it hard to diagnose."
"It's important to be checked by a GP if things don't feel normal for you, or if any symptoms change or get worse." The update then lists a number of common signs of pancreatic cancer, including two that can show up on the skin.
Yellowing skin is often experienced, though it may not be as apparent on darker complexions, and skin itchiness can also occur. Other common symptoms include a high temperature or feeling hot or shivery, diarrhoea or constipation, or other changes in your poo, pain at the top part of your tummy and your back, loss of appetite and/or unexplained weight loss, feeling tired or having no energy, feeling or being sick and symptoms of indigestion, the whites of your eyes turning yellow, and/or darker pee than usual.
The NHS further advises: "If you have another condition like irritable bowel syndrome, you may get symptoms like these regularly. You might find you get used to them."
"But it's important to be checked by a GP if your symptoms change, get worse or do not feel normal for you."
How City Of Hope Is Forging New Frontiers In Pancreatic Cancer Research, Fueled By A Historic $150 Million Gift
Written By Wudan Yan / Edited By Mallory Gafas
Philanthropists and entrepreneurs, Tessa Stephenson Brand (left) and Emmet Stephenson Jr. (right) pictured together.
City of Hope"Prior to 2012, we really had no reason to think about cancer. It just wasn't part of our life," says Tessa Stephenson Brand. But when her mother, Toni, was diagnosed with lymphoma, everything changed for Tessa and her father, Emmet Stephenson Jr.
"It turned our lives upside down as a family," she says. "We researched various hospitals and after multiple opinions, we chose City of Hope for her care, and we are so glad that we did."
At City of Hope, one of the most advanced treatment organizations in the U.S. And ranked among the nation's top five cancer centers, Toni received a full stem cell transplant that left her healthy and in remission.
But in 2020, she received a second diagnosis: pancreatic cancer, one of the deadliest forms of cancer with few effective treatments and only an average 13% survival rate five years after diagnosis.
"Pancreatic cancer is one of the most intractable cancer issues of our time," says Robert Stone, Chief Executive Officer of City of Hope. "There's really an urgent need to be innovative. It's time to do something different."
Despite the urgent need to address this disease, pancreatic cancer research is often siloed and significantly underfunded—leaving ample space for innovation with no time to spare.
After a four-month battle, Toni tragically passed away from the disease.
Amid the profound loss of Tessa's mother and Emmet's wife of nearly 53 years, the Stephenson family also gained a resolve to help address an urgent, unmet need.
Emmet Stephenson Jr. With his late wife, Toni Stephenson, and daughter, Tessa Stephenson Brand, spending time together in family photos.
The Stephenson Family"We recognized that pancreatic cancer really deserved our attention and our resources," Tessa says. "That's when the idea started … to turn our grief into a gift for other families so they don't have to go through what we went through."
In a historic gift, Emmet and Tessa bestowed $150 million—equivalent to two-thirds of the total allotted budget for pancreatic cancer research from the National Cancer Institute—to City of Hope.
"The idea is to do whatever we can to … instigate a cure," says Emmet. "City of Hope was willing to partner with us and bring their expertise to the table to make that idea work in the real world."
With City of Hope's pioneering work in cancer care, their shared mission is to create new options—and new hope—in the fight against the disease.
Advancing Innovative TreatmentsCity of Hope is widely recognized as a leader in cutting-edge cancer research, and the Stephenson family's gift enables the acceleration of its groundbreaking work in genomics, immunotherapy and personalized treatment approaches—all fields that are reshaping the future of cancer care.
Genomics, the study of genes and their functions, is critical for understanding how to target pancreatic cancer at its roots. By identifying specific genetic mutations associated with pancreatic tumors, City of Hope is developing precision treatments that can more effectively target the cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue.
Immunotherapy, which harnesses the body's immune system to fight cancer, is another area of focus. While immunotherapy has proven effective in some cancers, pancreatic cancer's unique biology makes it resistant to many immunotherapy approaches. City of Hope is invested in exploring these areas, including new combinations and delivery mechanisms for immunotherapy, which is critical for overcoming the tumor's defenses. The ultimate goal is to develop personalized treatments that consider each patient's unique genetic and biological profile, allowing for more effective and individualized care.
"Personalized medicine and innovative therapies are the future of cancer care," Stone says. "And with Emmet and Tessa's gift, we're setting a new pace in pancreatic cancer research, making strides in these areas faster than ever before."
The Stephenson Prize: Fostering Global CollaborationA key component of the Stephenson family's gift is the creation of the Stephenson Prize, an annual award designed to drive global innovation by recognizing the most impactful contributions in pancreatic cancer research. Open to researchers worldwide, the Prize fosters an unprecedented level of collaboration across institutions reflecting the Stephenson family's belief that "good ideas can come from anywhere," as Emmet puts it.
"The idea of the program was to make it very broad and attract as many smart people around the world as possible to address the problem," he says. "We are hoping that that will encourage further research and will trigger ideas and conversation among the scientists that are focused on this problem, and incentivize them to further the efforts to solve the problem."
Importantly, the prize winner does not have to be affiliated with City of Hope, which Stone says is representative of the organization's ethos.
"Among cancer centers, we do have the willingness to cut through bureaucracy and red tape and focus on speed and collaboration so that we can disrupt the status quo to realize our mission," he says. "And [that's] something that's desperately needed in the field of pancreatic cancer."
This collaborative approach, Stone believes, is crucial to overcoming the hurdles that have historically impeded pancreatic cancer research.
"We're putting the patient forward," explains Stone. "Cancer is the competition, not other organizations."
Addressing The Urgent Challenges Of Pancreatic CancerOften called a "silent killer," symptoms of pancreatic cancer rarely appear until the disease has advanced, limiting treatment options. For the Stephenson family, Toni's diagnosis reinforced the urgent need for better detection methods and more effective treatments.
Stone provides a stark illustration: "If we were in a room with a hundred people diagnosed today, only 13 would be alive five years from now." This staggering statistic underscores the need for fast-tracked advancements.
The Stephenson family's gift provides critical funding to address this need. With support for genomic profiling, new diagnostic tools and enhanced screening methods, City of Hope is focused on overcoming the hurdles that have held back progress in this field for decades.
Enabling Bold AdvancementsOne of the defining strengths of this partnership is the flexibility that comes with private philanthropy. Government funding, while essential, often restricts researchers with regulatory requirements and long timelines. In contrast, the Stephenson family's donation allows City of Hope to act quickly and pursue innovative approaches that aren't limited by traditional research constraints.
Emmet views this agility as essential for making significant advances.
"We're not bound by government restrictions or habit within the medical research community," he explains. "We can do things differently."
This flexibility has allowed City of Hope to establish groundbreaking resources, such as the first dedicated tissue bank for pancreatic cancer, which will provide researchers worldwide with access to essential biological materials. This resource is expected to expedite experiments and facilitate critical research on early detection and treatment methods for pancreatic cancer.
Building A Lasting Legacy Of Hope And ProgressCity of Hope is creating a collaborative ecosystem that addresses pancreatic cancer from multiple fronts. Since announcing the Stephenson gift, City of Hope has received an overwhelming response from researchers eager to contribute to this mission.
"Pancreatic cancer is such a devastating disease that people understand we need to do things differently," says Stone. "Researchers and institutions are flooding us with interest, driven by a shared urgency to make real progress."
The Stephenson family's visionary gift is a catalyst for global innovation, aiming to make pancreatic cancer not only treatable, but preventable. This mission extends beyond honoring Toni's memory, to creating a legacy of hope for countless families.
Stone believes this transformative gift could "rewrite the future" of cancer treatment, igniting a powerful force for change that will shape cancer care for generations.
Recognizing Subtle Signs Of Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer develops quietly, with symptoms that may seem insignificant at first glance. This cancer affects the pancreas, a vital organ controlling digestion and blood sugar regulation. Its "silent" nature makes early detection particularly challenging, as symptoms often mimic common ailments. Without recognition, the disease progresses unchecked, potentially limiting treatment options.
Early detection remains crucial for effective treatment. Because symptoms frequently go overlooked, many cases reach advanced stages before discovery. Understanding subtle signs enables proactive health management and timely medical consultation.
Core warning signsPersistent abdominal and back pain
A dull ache in the abdomen that radiates to the lower back often marks early stages. This pain typically worsens when lying down but may improve slightly when leaning forward. Many mistake it for indigestion or muscle strain, delaying crucial medical attention.
The pain's persistence or gradual worsening should prompt concern. Abdominal discomfort without clear cause, especially lasting several days, may indicate pancreatic issues. Pain intensifying after meals or appearing randomly requires evaluation.
Unexplained weight changes
Sudden weight loss and decreased appetite may signal pancreatic cancer. While many attribute these changes to stress or diet, persistent unexplained changes warrant investigation. The cancer can interfere with proper digestion, leading to nutrient deficiencies and rapid weight decline.
Jaundice indicators
Yellowing skin and eyes, known as jaundice, may signal pancreatic cancer when the disease blocks the bile duct. This blockage leads to bilirubin buildup in the body. Additional signs include:
Stool changes
Changes in bowel movements provide important clues. Fatty stools (steatorrhea) appear oily and resist flushing. Poor fat digestion, common with pancreatic dysfunction, causes these changes. Persistent alterations in stool color, consistency, or odor require medical evaluation.
Blood sugar fluctuations
The pancreas helps regulate blood sugar, and cancer can disrupt this function. New or worsening diabetes without typical risk factors may warrant further investigation. Unexplained blood sugar changes, especially alongside other symptoms, signal the need for medical consultation.
Ongoing fatigue
While fatigue affects everyone occasionally, persistent unexplained exhaustion may indicate serious conditions. Cancer cells compete with healthy cells for nutrients, while reduced pancreatic function creates energy deficits. Unrelenting tiredness, particularly with weight loss or digestive changes, requires medical attention.
Post-meal distress
Nausea and vomiting, especially after eating, may indicate pancreatic issues. Though these symptoms have many causes, persistent digestive disruption suggests potential pancreatic dysfunction. The pancreas's crucial role in digestion means cancer can significantly impact nutrient processing.
Back pain considerationsBack pain, while common, sometimes indicates pancreatic cancer. A deep, dull ache persisting despite standard treatments like rest or stretching may signal underlying issues. This pain, combined with other symptoms like abdominal discomfort or jaundice, requires thorough evaluation.
Taking actionExperiencing these symptoms doesn't automatically indicate pancreatic cancer. However, proactive health management includes:
Symptom tracking
Record when symptoms occur, their duration, and potential triggers. This information helps healthcare providers evaluate concerns effectively and recommend appropriate tests or treatments.
Medical consultation
Discuss concerning symptoms with primary care providers, who may suggest additional testing or specialist referrals. Early intervention often provides more treatment options.
Health awareness
Understanding pancreatic health helps identify concerning changes. Regular check-ups and symptom awareness enable prompt action when needed.
Preventive measuresMonitoring health changes and maintaining regular medical check-ups supports early detection. Key preventive steps include:
While pancreatic cancer symptoms may seem subtle, they hold significant importance. Recognizing these warning signs and seeking timely medical evaluation can affect treatment options and outcomes. Healthcare providers emphasize that early detection through symptom awareness plays a crucial role in addressing potential pancreatic issues.
Remember that staying informed and proactive about health concerns empowers better medical decisions. Regular health monitoring and prompt attention to persistent symptoms support overall wellbeing and enable earlier intervention when needed.
This story was created using AI technology.
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