Kate Sweeney, Head of Clinical Negligence at Simpson Millar , dubbed pancreatic cancer a "silent cancer" due to its subtle early warning signs that are frequently missed, misinterpreted, or wrongly diagnosed as other conditions. Pancreatic cancer ranks as the 10th most common cancer in the UK, with nearly half of those affected being over the age of 75. The specialist is calling for increased awareness of the disease's early symptoms, stressing that "early diagnosis is key".
However, this is challenging when both patients and healthcare professionals may not connect the dots quickly enough. Symptoms are often mistaken for other ailments such as pancreatitis, IBS, muscular pain, gallbladder disease, or ulcers, as per Pancreatic Cancer Action . Key early indicators to watch for include persistent abdominal or back pain, unexplained weight loss, jaundice, digestive issues, and a loss of appetite.
The clinical negligence expert is sounding the alarm on the dangers of pancreatic cancer, warning that if undetected, it can lead to additional severe health issues such as diabetes, blood clots, and indigestion. She emphasised the importance of regular health checks at home and seeking immediate medical advice if early warning signs are noticed: "Performing regular health checks at home and seeking prompt medical advice for these symptoms could significantly improve outcomes for those affected." She pointed out that delayed diagnoses can also be caused by administrative blunders, inclu.
