Pancreatic cancer is often called a “silent disease” because it can be hard to detect in its earliest stages.
“Pancreatic cancer usually has few symptoms, making it challenging to diagnose early,” says Bret Schipper, MD, FACS, CPE, a surgical oncologist with the Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute at Hartford Hospital. “The cancer is often already advanced by the time symptoms show up.”
So what makes pancreatic cancer so easy to miss? It comes down to a few key factors that can delay diagnosis.
1. The pancreas is hidden deep in the body
The pancreas is not an organ you can see or feel easily. It sits behind the stomach, tucked deep in the middle of the abdomen.
“That location makes it nearly impossible to feel a tumor from the outside,” explains Dr. Schipper. “Since it’s surrounded by other organs, it’s hard for patients and doctors to detect early changes.”
Because of that, pancreatic tumors can grow quietly without causing obvious physical changes. There’s no visible lump and often no clear sign that something is wrong.
> Related: Does Diabetes Increase Your Risk of Pancreatic Cancer?
2. Symptoms are subtle or don’t show up at all
One of the biggest challenges with pancreatic cancer is that early symptoms are often mild, easy to dismiss or in some cases, completely absent.
“People may feel mild abdominal discomfort, lose a little weight or have indigestion that it may be easy to chalk up to everyday digestive issues,” says Dr. Schipper. “But some develop jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) as a possible first noticeable sign.”
A little bloating, stomach discomfort or appetite loss may not seem alarming on its own. But when symptoms linger, worsen or do not have an obvious explanation, they’re worth bringing up with your doctor.
> Related: 10 Tips to Prevent Cancer
3. There’s no routine screening test
For some cancers, screening can help catch disease before symptoms start. That’s not the case with pancreatic cancer.
“We don’t have a simple test like a colonoscopy or mammogram for this,” says Dr. Schipper. “There’s no blood test or scan we can use for widespread screening in people without high risk.”
That means most people aren’t being checked for pancreatic cancer during routine care.
Want a Weekly Dose of Health News?
4. It spreads fast
Even when pancreatic cancer is found, timing matters.
“It’s an aggressive disease,” says Dr. Schipper. “Even with a short delay in identifying this, it can limit treatment options and outcomes.”
When a cancer grows and spreads quickly, it doesn’t give doctors much time to work with once it starts progressing.
> Related: Can Supplements Help Prevent Cancer?
Here’s what you can do.
While there’s no standard screening for everyone, there are steps you can take – especially if you’re at higher risk.
Risk factors include:
- Chronic pancreatitis.
- Family history of pancreatic cancer.
- Genetic conditions like BRCA mutations.
- Obesity.
- Smoking.
“If you have a family history or other risk factors, talk to your doctor,” advises Dr. Schipper. “And if you notice unexplained weight loss, jaundice or persistent upper abdominal pain, get evaluated right away.”
Some people with inherited risk may benefit from screening with MRI or endoscopic ultrasound. Your provider can refer you to a high-risk clinic or genetic counselor to discuss your options.
“Pancreatic cancer is tough to catch early, but not impossible,” says Dr. Schipper. “Pay attention to your body. If something feels off, reach out. We’d always rather check something early than miss an opportunity to act.”
