Pancreatic Cancer Worry

Hi,

I would say push as hard as you can. There is no such thing as too young, cancer doesn't discriminate, and you have obviously read up on PC. 

I've had IBS for many years and put the changes down to work stress and moving house, although I didn't feel stressed, I like to organise things!

Main sign was jaundice, and when I read up on it a few other minor symptoms fell in to place. 

I was very lucky with my GP, and it was only 6 days since the appt to the diagnosis - and that included a weekend. 

It's your health, you need to chase for answers, sometimes you just know when things aren't right, and you can't afford to wait. 

Good luck, let us know how it goes. 

Ax

Hi Cdcmoon,

You don't sound well at all, but it does sound as if they're still trying to find out what it is?

I had a quick check on the UK numbers (Source: Cancer Research), and just 6 men 30 yrs or younger, in the whole of the UK, are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer each year. It does seem to be extremely rare in people your age, and so I guess it is most likely to be something else? Do you have any additional risk factors, e.g. smoking? If not then the chance is even less.

They do need to find out what it is for you

Is there any other reason you think it might be pancreatic?, or is this from comparing your symptoms with google - I know I did a lot of that early on, and convinced myself of something that wasn't correct.

If the latest set of results don't point to a diagnosis, then you do need to be politely persistent with the GPs, and find out what is going on.At this stage I'd keep an open mind on what it might be.

Take care,

Greg

Hi Cdcmoon

We as a family have had a rollercoaster 4 months with my Mum. It took 12 weeks to diagnose her PC and misdiagnosed it 4 times.

CT showed it as cysts but MRI showed a tumour. Different consultants diagnosing lymphoma even after her biopsy they said it was looking good for lymphoma as treatable . Surgeon said a tumour in the pancreas was a 'death sentence'. Biopsy came back as worst possible news.

Consultant said 5cm tumour was operable in January. By the time we got her results 12 weeks later it was too late for surgery and treatment, Its heartbreaking . Its now in her lymph nodes and is aggressive and fast growing. The timescale is dire for her. 

There was a young lady on This Morning a couple of years back , she was only 23 when she passed with PC. 

You really need to push. I really hope it is not PC.

GILL 

Have you been scanned for gall stones ?? I have had gall stones and the pain used to come and go, my Mum has pancreatic cancer and the pain doesn't go away unless she takes morphine.

Dear Cdcmoon

My husband was diagnosed in February with secondary liver cancer. At the time they didn't know where the primary cancer was. It took until March to get a definitive diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Unfortunately for my husband it had already spread and he is already at stage 4 and he has never had any signs of jaundice. 

Don't worry about bugging the doctors. You know your own body and you don't feel right. Keep insisting on a CT scan and anything else you need to get this sorted. Hopefully you do not have PC and you will be ok. 

Channers x

Thank you for all your replies.

I tried it when i was younger but never been a smoker at all really.

My main concern is i have felt like i have been running at 70% for a while now, i have low energy levels and do not feel like going to the gym or going for a simple jog it just feels weird. I find driving and working enough to make me feel knackered in the evenings.

I have googled a lot of my symptoms and my girlfriend thinks i have picked the worst thing i can find that marry my systems but its the only real thing that matches my symptoms. I also get bloating and a feeling of fullness on my left side and sometimes when i drive or sit up i feel uncomfortable on my left side, it feels like something is just there... sounds really weird i know.

I know doctors will not second guess but i have had no direction of what it could be other than an infection or IBS, but can IBS really make me feel this way constantly?

The Doctors are aware of my fear of PC but what worries me is the GI Doctor talked about a possible Gastroscopy when i seen him initially. This was to be booked once i had Colonoscopy but when i had this procedure it all seemed rushed and he moved onto his next patient. The nurses said i was to wait 4 weeks for a follow up??

I just feel like this is going on for so long now i am really starting to lose it mentally too, i have got to go see a Psychotherapist next week but i really think until i get my physical problems sorted first its not going to help :(

I have had no scans so far I don't think they are entertaining the idea at the minute but im guessing if not a gastroscopy an ultrasound would be next logical step?

Okay I'm speaking to you as an ex nurse and daughter of my mum who died of Pancreatic cancer.

Firstly age is no reason to discount PC so ignore that. 

Secondly your symptoms also could mean you have a gallbladder issue , this needs to be discluded . 

There is an examination called an ERCP during this procedure the Dr can take a biopsy of the Ampulla of Vater to see if any sign of Cancer is there. The Drs may try to fob you off as they did my mum who was 70 yrs old . Up until the day before she was diagnosed with terminal PC with liver and lung mets I was informed by two consultants they were "confident" that she didn't have PC. 

Your best bet would be to lie and tell the Drs you have PC in the family with many past members having died from this at a young age .In view of this medical history you can demand biopsies are taken. Additionally whilst a CT scan might be a good idea the scan is only as good as the person interpreting it. My mum's CT scan in December was clear in January Cancer was seen in all three organs. 

The interpretation of CT scans can and are sometimes wrong.  Bear this in mind. In my opinion having not examined you I would say your symptoms are consistent with Gallstones. However don't let that deter you from seeking further. 

Please do continue to post and update us as your situation becomes clearer

Wishing you well x

CDMOON . DON'T WAIT FOUR WEEKS PHONE THE CONSULTANTS SECRETARY AND DEMAND AN URGENT APPOINTMENT ! THIS IS FAR MORE EFFECTIVE THAN GOING THROUGH THE GP. 

Bloating and discomfort on one side was my mums main symptom for months along with fatigue . Her blood results were normal. 

Her pain was intermittent and initially was associated with eating hence the gallstone diagnosis. She was misdiagnosed . 

Make a nuisance of yourself and get a prompt appointment asap . I hope it isn't PC . Let us know how you get on. 

First of all i am sorry for your loss.

With gallstones would my pain be more persistent on the right side?

I have managed to get an appointment on Thursday i will ask the GI Doctor if there is a such a test which can look at my Pancreas because this really concerns me. I have a general uncomfortable feeling in my left side not pain just bloating and notice it more when i am driving/sitting up.. just really fed up and feel like i am getting nowhere with doctors.