Symptoms of 'silent killer' that are often confused for other conditions

People are being warned to look out for the signs of a 'silent cancer' which can be confused for other conditions. Pancreatic cancer is the 10th most common cancer in the UK, with 30 people diagnosed every day.

Almost half (47%) of cases every year are in those aged 75 and over. With all cancers, early diagnosis is key.

Kate Sweeney, head of clinical negligence at Simpson Millar, is now urging everyone to be aware of the symptoms of pancreatic cancer and seek medical advice if they have concerns. She said: "Pancreatic cancer is often called a 'silent cancer' because its symptoms can be vague or mistaken for other conditions.

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"Early diagnosis is critical for improving outcomes – a late diagnosis often means that treatment options are limited: seven in ten people do not receive active treatment due to late-stage detection."

Pancreatic cancer is sometimes difficult to diagnose early but finding out early can help treat it. Symptoms can often be confused with other conditions such as pancreatitis or inflammatory bowel disease.

Early signs include persistent abdominal or back pain, unexplained weight loss, jaundice, digestive issues and loss of appetite. But if left untreated, a patient could see worsening symptoms.

Kate said: "Medical professionals have a duty of care. When this duty is not upheld, patients can suffer serious harm. If we can prove that your cancer wasn't diagnosed early enough or that you were given the wrong diagnosis, you could claim cancer misdiagnosis compensation which could help you to access specialist treatment not available on the NHS."

If you are worried about any symptoms, you should seek advice from your GP. Kate said: "Over a third of people in the UK won’t contact their GP surgery because of long waiting times, according to some of our most recent research.

"People must continue to seek medical help despite this, as timely intervention can provide more effective treatment options and a better quality of life for patients. We also found that 14 per cent of people avoid seeking medical advice from their GP because they fear that they will not be taken seriously.

"Healthcare professionals should foster a supportive environment where patients feel comfortable voicing their concerns, and where those concerns will be taken seriously. If you are worried about your health and feel dismissed by your doctor, it’s important to stand firm: ask questions, push for answers, seek a second opinion.

"Early detection can save lives, but only if patients feel heard and their symptoms are properly investigated."