1. Persistent abdominal or back pain
My father initially complained of back problems, which he attributed to his posture and age. But the pain persisted, spread to his upper abdomen, and worsened at night or after meals.
This type of dull, radiating pain, especially when it persists or intensifies, is a common early sign of pancreatic cancer. Unfortunately, it is often mistaken for minor digestive or muscular problems.
2. Rapid and unexplained weight loss
In three weeks, my father lost over five kilos without any effort. His appetite disappeared and he became tired. We attributed it to stress, but it was the cancer that interfered with his pancreas’s role in digestion.
Sudden weight loss without a clear cause is a warning sign and should always be a reason for a medical examination.
