Fiducia TogetherPancreatic cancer
Diagnosed late because the early signs look like indigestion. Painless jaundice is the one that must never be watched and waited.
Important: This page is general information, not medical advice, and it is not a diagnosis. If you are worried about your health or someone else's, speak to a GP, pharmacist, or call 111. In an emergency, call 999.
What it is
Cancer of the pancreas, the organ behind the stomach that makes digestive enzymes and insulin.
It has the worst survival of the common cancers, and the reason is almost entirely timing: the early symptoms are vague and easily attributed to indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome or getting older.
Two patterns deserve to be widely known. Painless yellowing of the skin and eyes is pancreatic cancer until proven otherwise and needs urgent assessment, not a wait. And new type 2 diabetes in somebody over 50 who is losing weight, rather than gaining it, is a recognised warning sign that is regularly congratulated instead of investigated.
Most people need enzyme replacement to digest food. It is under-prescribed, and getting it right changes weight, energy and how long treatment can continue.
Signs you might notice
Yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools, itching. Painless jaundice is the urgent one.
Weight loss without trying.
Pain in the upper abdomen going through to the back, often worse lying flat and better leaning forward.
Indigestion that does not respond to the usual treatment.
New diabetes over 50, especially with weight loss.
Loose, pale, greasy stools that float and are hard to flush.
Loss of appetite, nausea, and fatigue.
How it can affect day-to-day life
The pace is the hardest part. People are frequently told at diagnosis that treatment options are limited, and families have to absorb prognosis, treatment and practical arrangements in the same fortnight.
Malnutrition is both common and treatable, and enzyme replacement, taken with every meal and every snack, is the intervention most often missed. Ask for it by name.
Pain is often managed poorly at first and manageable well with specialist input, including nerve blocks. Early palliative care involvement improves both quality of life and, in some studies, length of it. It is not giving up.
Supporting someone well
Painless jaundice: same day. Do not accept a routine appointment.
Ask directly about pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy if the person has greasy stools, weight loss or bloating, and ask whether the dose is enough. Under-dosing is the norm.
Ask for a dietitian early. See dietetics.
Ask for the specialist nurse, and ask for early palliative care involvement for symptom control, framed as it should be: extra help, not the end of treatment.
Sort money and practicalities early, while the person can take part. Fast-track benefits exist for a reason.
Keep a symptom and weight record. It is what gets the enzyme dose and the pain relief changed.
Where to get help
A GP practice, urgently, for jaundice, weight loss or persistent upper abdominal pain.
Pancreatic Cancer UK run a specialist nurse helpline on 0808 801 0707 which is widely rated as the best source of practical help.
Macmillan Cancer Support on 0808 808 00 00 for money, work and benefits.
Tools we make that might help
These are our own products. We have put them here because they do something specific for this condition, not because every page needs a list.
Fiducia Together
Weight, enzyme doses and symptom notes in one record, so under-treatment shows up as a trend rather than a hunch.
Last reviewed 2026-08-28 by Fiducia Together · Next review due 2027-08-28
Important: This page is general information, not medical advice, and it is not a diagnosis. If you are worried about your health or someone else's, speak to a GP, pharmacist, or call 111. In an emergency, call 999.