Before we enumerate the pancreatic cancer symptons , let's first define what a Pancreatic cancer is. Obviously, it's the cancer of the Pancreas, but what is Pancreas? It is an endocrine gland that produces important hormones, including insulin, glucagon and somatostatin. It is also an exocrine gland that secretes pancreatic juice which contains digestive enzymes that help in the further breakdown of the protein, carbohydrates and fat in the chyme.

Your pancreas is a large organ that lies horizontally just behind the lower part of your stomach. Pancreatic cancer begins in the tissues of your pancreas. The worst part is normally, the symptons of this cancer will not appear until it's already on an advanced stage and surgical removal is no longer possible. That could be the reason why pancreatic cancer is the 5th leading cause of cancer- related mortality in the United States. About 30,000 - 40,000 in the U.S. die due to pancreatic cancer annually.

Now that we have some brief background about Pancreatic cancer, let's take a look at it's possible causes before we finally discuss the signs and symptons of pancreatic cancer.

Majority of cases of Pancreatic cancer occurs after retirement - it usually happens after the age of 60 which led some experts to believe that age is one of the strongest risk factors for this killer cancer. There are also two diseases that may represent (if not the cause) an early sympton of pancreatic cancer, they are Chronic Pancreatitis which is the Inflammation of the pancreas, usually from excessive alcohol intake or gallstones and Diabetes.

Experts suggest that Pancreatic cancer occurs when cells in the pancreas develop genetic mutations whichs causes the cell to grow and continue living after normal cells die. This process of accumulating cell may cause the forming of a tumor.

Ooops, I almost forgot something - Studies show that there is a clear association between pancreatic cancer and cigarette smoking.

Alright, we will now enumerate the common symptons of pancreatic cancer. Like what I have mentioned on the second paragraph, they don't often show up until the disease is already on a very, very serious stage. There's really a lack of specific symptons on the early stages. Here are the common signs and symptons of pancreatic cancer;

• Loss of appetite (anorexia)
• Weight loss - If you lose your appetite, it just makes sense that you lose some weight right?
• Depression (this is very common with cancer patients)
• Upper abdominal pain that may radiate to your back.
• Jaundice - the yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes.
• Diarrhea or fatty bowel movements that float in water (steatorrhea) Nausea and vomitting ( This is one of the symptons of pregnancy so just relax if ever you are pregnant)

Since there's really a lack of specific pancreatic cancer symptons on the early stages, I thought that it might help if I include in this post the general or common symptons of cancer, whether, you are a male or a female. Again, these are the general cancer symptons, not just pancreatic cancer symptons.

The most common symptons of cancer are change in bowel habits, blood in your stool and in the urine, persistent cough or blood-tinged saliva, unexplained anemia, breast discharge, lumps in the testicles, change in urination pattern, hoarseness , persistent lumps or swollen glands, Obvious change in a wart or a mole, persistent lumps or swollen glands, unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge, headaches, nonhealing sores.

The best thing that you can do if you experience any of the pancreatic cancer symptons above is to consult a doctor. The symptons mentioned above may also be related to other lesser diseases but it's better to be safe than sorry. A short trip to the clinic and spending some few bucks might save your life.