Pancreatic Cancer Awareness with Emma Solari

According to Cancer Australia, in 2023 approximately 4,506 Australians were newly diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. People with pancreatic cancer often have no symptoms until the cancer has spread to other organs. The first symptom of pancreatic cancer is often jaundice (signs of jaundice may include yellowish skin and eyes, dark urine, pale bowel motions and itchy skin.

Other common symptoms of pancreatic cancer include:

• Loss of appetite
• nausea
• unexplained weight loss
• pain in the upper abdomen, side or back
• changed in bowel motions
• bloating, passing wind and burping more than usual
• newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes
• fatigue

It is important to note that there are many unrelated conditions that can cause the above symptoms. If you have any of the above symptoms or are concerned about your risk of developing pancreatic cancer please schedule an appointment with your health care provider to discuss this urgently.

If you, a friend or a loved one has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer or stomach cancer come and chat with our care team about how COUCH can assist you. Please also feel free look into the following support services and resources may also be of assistance:

• Cancer Council ‘Understanding Pancreatic Cancer’ Booklet - Understanding Pancreatic Cancer
• Cancer Council ‘Understanding Pancreatic Cancer’ Booklet - Understanding Stomach and Oesophageal Cancers
• Cancer Council QLD – can provide legal and financial support, information and resources, remote peer support services, advice regarding attaining practical support. To learn more visit Cancer Council Queensland | Navigating Cancer Together (cancerqld.org.au) or call 13 11 20
• Pancare Foundation - a charity committed to inspiring hope, raising awareness, supporting families and funding research for upper gastrointestinal cancers. PanSupport is the Pancare Foundation’s support, resource and information service available for all Australians affected by upper gastrointestinal cancers including pancreatic and stomach cancer. PanSupport offers a range of supports to people diagnosed with upper GI cancer and their friends and family including an on-line hub of resources, a Specialist Upper GI Cancer Nurse, Support Manager and counselling service, Patient and carer support groups and education webinars. To learn more about Pancare Foundation visit www.pancare.org.au or call them directly on 1300 881 698

References 

Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care (2024) About the National Lung Cancer Screening Program, www.health.gov.au/our-work/nlcsp/about

Cancer Australia (2024) www.canceraustralia.gov.au

Cancer Council (2024) Understanding Pancreatic Cancer,www.cancer.org.au/assets/pdf/understanding-pancreatic-cancer-booklet