Can I Be Checked for Pancreatic Cancer Before I Have Symptoms?
Screening tests check for disease in people who don’t have symptoms. There are no recommended screening tests for pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic cancer has been called a “silent” disease. This is because it does not have many symptoms. The early symptoms may be very vague and not specific to the pancreas (such as back pain). For that reason, it takes a while for many people with pancreatic cancer to get a diagnosis.
If you have symptoms related to pancreatic cancer, your doctor will do a series of tests to see if the symptoms are from cancer or from something else.
Online Medical Reviewer:
Alteri, Rick MD
Online Medical Reviewer:
Coleman, JoAnn RN, MS, ACNP, AOCN®
Online Medical Reviewer:
Kanipe, Jennifer RN, BSN
Online Medical Reviewer:
Lee, James J. MD, PhD
Online Medical Reviewer:
Stump-Sutliff, Kim RN, MSN, AOCNS
Last Annual Review Date:
9/13/2009