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Life-limiting illness

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Original poster

Initial symptoms of pancreatic cancer, GP fobbing off

37 replies

swingsandround · 06/07/2022 11:34

Just wondered if anyone has experiences of this aggressive cancer. DH has a number of symptoms consistent with possible pancreatic cancer but the GP seems to be fobbing him off. But I've read of other cases of people who's diagnosis was delayed in a similar way because the symptoms seem like something else. Just trying to gather evidence for persuading the GP to test for it really.

OP posts:

Original poster

swingsandround · 09/07/2022 16:33

Cinders15 · 09/07/2022 13:50

In that case, see if you can get a CT scan earlier by going private - we did that and it did confirm our fears for my DH, but was lucky to have got it diagnosed quickly, and his NHS surgeon operated the next week and removed it all thankfully
Just give the private results to his consultant

Ok thank you we will look into it. The stressful thing seems to be that pancreatic cancers can be easily missed even on a CT unless they're advanced. Sigh at least it would be a step forward

OP posts:

Original poster

swingsandround · 09/07/2022 16:33

Cinders15 · 09/07/2022 13:50

I'm so glad your DH was able to have an operation

OP posts:

bloodywhitecat · 09/07/2022 16:46

CA19-9 is the blood marker for cancers in that area, the number should be below 35 (DH's was over 500 on his first test before he was diagnosed and rose to being in the thousands), it can be raised for over reasons and you can have pancreatic cancer and normal readings but getting a reading is a good start.

Cinders15 · 09/07/2022 16:48

Thanks OP
Yes, he was lucky - not pancreatic, but bowel cancer and as it was the right side, he didn't need a stoma - 3 years on and touch wood still ok

Justwingingit2005 · 17/08/2022 22:44

My mum was told she had ibs, menopause, indigestion and just being middle aged.
She collapsed and given weeks to live with ovarian cancer.
GP missed it and went to see him 12 times over 8 weeks with worsening symptoms.

Muddle2000 · 26/10/2023 12:23

This is one of the worst cancers to detect I understand but my Mum had it and was in agony
Very tricky illness

MumofobsessedbyMT · 15/06/2026 08:58

This is a video i made about my symptoms of pancreatic cancer- i was diagnosed in 2022.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music that you love, upload original content and share it all with friends, family and the world on YouTube.

https://youtu.be/NgGfXpElv7c

Cupofteaafterwards · 01/08/2026 00:01

MissMarplesNiece · 07/07/2022 18:46

I had ampullary cancer - where duct from pancreas & bile duct meet before going into duodenum. I had symptoms similar to those you describe, my urine also went a very dark brown colour. My GP tried to fob it off as dehydration 🙄. I insisted on a liver function blood test which showed my liver enzyme levels were sky high & as soon as he got the results he phoned me & told me to go to A&E. I hadn't started to go yellow by then but did a few days after. Tumour was removed, fortunately before it got the chance to spread.

Can I ask how you are doing now, if that’s ok? My DM got diagnosis of Ampullary Cancer this evening…

MissMarplesNiece · 02/08/2026 19:23

@Cupofteaafterwards In general I'm doing well. I'm still under the care of the Liver team because the surgery I had (whipples op) has left me with a problem where I get bouts of cholangitis, which is a bacterial infection of the bile duct.

I'm sorry to read that your DH has been found to have Ampullary cancer, it must be a horrible shock for you both. Have you been told of a treatment plan yet? Has his medical team mentioned a Whipples op? It's brutal surgery but many folk have now had it & recovered well. I really recommend the Facebook group "Whipple Warriors", it was a real source of information & support (it still is for me).

Cupofteaafterwards · 02/08/2026 19:28

Thank you very much for your reply and I am delighted to hear that you are doing well overall. You are inspirational as I’ve heard that the Whipple is very tough going. When did you have yours? It’s my mother who received the diagnosis. Whipple has been mentioned but we will know more on Tuesday/Wednesday when she is moved to the specialist hospital and a treatment plan is proposed.

MissMarplesNiece · 02/08/2026 20:35

I had my op in autumn 2019, then in 2023 I had more surgery to try to stop the cholangitis, which sadly didn't work. The team who have looked after me have been great - I hope your mum gets the same level of care that I got.

If you want to know more about the Whipples Op, and you're not squeamish, there's an episode of Surgeons On The Edge Of Life (BBC) about the op. I confess I haven't been able to bring myself to watch it.

Urgentbiscuitrequired · 04/08/2026 10:20

Hi OP, I hope all is OK. Your DH symptoms sound very similar to stomach cancer which is also diagnosed late as you get fobbed off a lot by GPs. My Dad had a very aggressive form. Went from being very active early summer, to being T4N3M1 in December at diagnosis. Definitely pay private for a scan if you can. Weight loss is a very big sign something is up. My Dad's bloods didn't really show much until last 10 weeks or so too.

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