Pancreatic cancer: Key early warning signs and risk factors

Medical expert Dr. Liu Boren has highlighted key warning signs for pancreatic cancer, a disease often difficult to detect in its early stages because the pancreas is located deep within the abdomen behind the stomach.

Key symptoms to monitor include unexplained weight loss accompanied by decreased appetite, persistent or recurring pain in the upper abdomen that extends to the back, and jaundice. Jaundice may manifest as yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools, and skin itching, often caused by tumors obstructing bile ducts.

A less commonly recognized signal is the sudden onset of abnormal blood sugar levels. While most new diabetes diagnoses are not linked to cancer, a sudden spike in blood sugar or a loss of control over existing diabetes—especially when paired with weight loss or pain—warrants medical evaluation.

Risk factors include aging, smoking, obesity, type 2 diabetes, chronic pancreatitis, and family history. Experts recommend lifestyle adjustments such as smoking cessation and weight management to mitigate risks.