Pancreatic cancer is hard to detect early, when treatment is most effective. If you have one or more of these symptoms, it’s important to tell your doctor right away.

• Belly cramps or pain in the middle of the back
• Losing weight without trying
• Yellow skin and eyes, and dark urine, all signs of jaundice
• Feeling weak or tired
• Swelling of an arm or leg from a blood clot
• Diarrhea, having trouble pooping (constipation) or having poop that floats, is oily or has a strong smell
• Nausea, bloating, gas or loss of appetite

People who get pancreatic cancer live longer if it is found and treated early. Even if you don’t have pancreatic cancer, it’s best to know the cause of any symptoms and to get the care you need.

Pancreatic cancer risk factors

Pancreatic cancer risk factors include:

• Smoking: People who smoke tobacco are about twice as likely to develop pancreatic cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.
• Obesity: People who are very overweight are about 20% more likely to be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
• Diabetes: Having diabetes can be a modest risk factor for pancreatic cancer. It can also be a symptom.
• Chronic pancreatitis: People with this condition have long-term swelling (inflammation) of the pancreas, which causes pain and scarring.
• Family history: Pancreatic cancer can run in families. A family history of pancreas conditions or breast or ovarian cancer increases risk of pancreatic cancer. For example, inherited cancer syndromes such as multiple endocrine neoplasia and changes in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes raise risk.
• Age: Almost all people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer are older than 45. The median age at diagnosis (half are younger, half older) is 70.
• Race and ethnicity: African Americans have a higher risk of pancreatic cancer, studies show.

At OHSU, we offer:

• A Pancreatic Cancer High Risk Clinic to measure and help manage risk
• Medical geneticists who provide genetic counseling, risk assessment and testing

Pancreatic cancer and diabetes

Diabetes, especially new-onset diabetes, is a risk factor for pancreatic cancer. Sometimes it’s a sign that someone already has pancreatic cancer, especially in someone with no other risk factors for diabetes.

In rare cases, pancreatic cancer can cause diabetes by destroying cells that make insulin.

Ask your doctor to check for pancreatic cancer and diabetes if you have these new symptoms:

• Having to pee often
• Feeling tired and weak
• Feeling very thirsty and hungry

Early detection of pancreatic cancer

Finding pancreatic cancer early is a core mission of the Brenden-Colson Center. The center works with the Knight Cancer Institute’s Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center to detect pancreatic cancer when it’s most curable. The center also offers a clinic for patients at high risk of pancreatic cancer.