Husband’s Dismissed Symptoms Led to Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis, Fueling Urgent Awareness Campaign
LONDON – A couple’s initial assumption that digestive issues were simply dietary has led to a stage three pancreatic cancer diagnosis, highlighting the critical need for increased awareness of the disease’s often-vague early symptoms. poppy, whose last name has not been released, experienced symptoms initially attributed to Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) before receiving a life-altering diagnosis that prompted her husband to share their story as part of the #DeadlyKiller campaign.
Pancreatic cancer is notoriously difficult to detect in its early stages, often presenting with symptoms easily mistaken for more common conditions like IBS. This delay in diagnosis significantly impacts survival rates, with the disease currently having one of the lowest five-year survival rates of all cancers. The #DeadlyKiller campaign, launched to combat this, aims to educate the public and medical professionals about recognizing potential warning signs and seeking prompt medical attention.
Symptoms commonly associated with IBS – including stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea, constipation, farting, passing mucus, tiredness, nausea, backache, and urinary problems – overlap significantly with those of pancreatic cancer. While IBS is a chronic condition managed through lifestyle and dietary adjustments, persistent or worsening symptoms, particularly when accompanied by unexplained weight loss, bleeding from the bottom, a palpable abdominal lump, shortness of breath, or noticeable heart palpitations, warrant immediate medical evaluation.
According to the NHS, a GP diagnosis of IBS typically relies on a review of symptoms and a physical examination, as there is no definitive test. However, doctors emphasize the importance of ruling out other potential causes, including coeliac disease, ulcerative colitis, and various cancers.
“Stories like Poppy’s show exactly why we launched the #DeadlyKiller campaign, to stop pancreatic cancer being a death sentence,” a campaign spokesperson stated.
Individuals experiencing digestive symptoms for over four weeks are advised to consult their GP. Urgent medical attention is crucial if any of the more serious warning signs – unexplained weight loss, rectal bleeding, abdominal lumps, or respiratory distress – are present. Further data on IBS and pancreatic cancer can be found on the NHS website (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs/).