Weight Loss & Rising Blood Sugar: Potential Early Warning Signs for Pancreatic Cancer
PARIS – New research suggests unexplained weight loss coupled wiht increasing blood sugar levels could signal pancreatic cancer up to three years before a formal diagnosis, offering a potential pathway for earlier detection of the aggressive disease.
A recent study revealed that individuals diagnosed with pancreatic cancer had,on average,a body mass index (BMI) approximately three points lower than those without the illness - a statistically significant difference. This weight loss is often dismissed as stemming from diet, stress, or minor illness, but researchers believe it can be an early indicator of tumor advancement, as the pancreas plays a vital role in digestion and blood sugar regulation. Impaired pancreatic function due to cancer may contribute to weight loss.
Beyond weight loss, researchers also highlighted an increase in HbA1c levels – a measure of average blood sugar over three months - as a potential early warning sign. While typically associated with diabetes, elevated HbA1c levels were observed up to three years prior to pancreatic cancer diagnoses in some patients. It’s significant to note that individuals with pre-existing diabetes or prediabetes may experience this symptom without having cancer.
Scientists emphasize that the combination of unexplained weight loss and rising blood sugar levels warrants further investigation. Monitoring these two factors closely could help identify at-risk individuals for earlier examination and potential intervention before the disease progresses. Though, they caution that factors like smoking or family history can also cause these symptoms and do not automatically indicate cancer.
