Gastroenterologist Warns: Indigestion After Meals May Signal Early Pancreatic Cancer

Early detection can make an enormous difference in cancer, which is especially true for pancreatic cancer. According to AOL.com citing the American Cancer Society, pancreatic cancer accounts for about 3% of all cancers in the United States. However, it is responsible for roughly 8% of all cancer deaths and stands as the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the country, behind lung and colorectal cancers. The American Cancer Society estimates that about 67,530 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2026, and the five-year survival rate remains just 13%. Because the pancreas sits deep in the abdomen behind the stomach, a tumor can grow for some time before causing noticeable problems or appearing on routine exams, meaning the cancer has often already spread by the time of diagnosis.\n\nAccording to AOL.com, part of what makes the disease so hard to catch is that its early warning signs are subtle and easily mistaken for less serious health issues. Dr. Samrat V. Jankar, a gastroenterologist and gastrointestinal surgeon at Kaizen Gastro Care, explained that indigestion can be an early indicator. Dr. Jankar previously told Parade that patients may experience changes in their body's ability to handle food. As Dr. Jankar stated, “In addition to these symptoms, some people may also experience indigestion after meals or changes in their ability to digest foods.” Because the pancreas produces enzymes that help break down food, a tumor interferes with normal digestion. Yet because occasional upset stomachs are common after large or rich meals, the symptom is frequently dismissed.\n\nDr. Jankar noted that early signs are often hard to detect, dismissed, or mistaken for other conditions. Additional early warning signs to watch for include changes in bowel habits such as frequent new constipation or diarrhea, pain in the upper abdomen or back, sudden weight loss, fatigue, and jaundice or yellowing of the skin. Less common indicators can involve blood clots, depression, and swelling of the face and body. If individuals notice these symptoms, Dr. Jankar advises seeing a doctor as soon as possible for potential CT scans, blood samples to check for elevated enzyme levels, or a biopsy if tests are inconclusive.\n\nRisk factors identified by Dr. Jankar include smoking, regularly eating red and processed meats, and family history. Individuals with close relatives like parents or siblings who have had pancreatic cancer face a risk two to three times higher than those without such a family history. While occasional indigestion is extremely common and usually harmless, persistent or new symptoms paired with other warning signs warrant a medical consultation.\n\nCommunities are also marking awareness initiatives. In municipal updates, Wayne Worth, the mayor of Clarksburg, declared November as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month to help residents identify early signs of the disease, according to WV News. My Buckhannon reported that Upshur County also proclaimed Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, while Sam’s Pizza raised more than $1,000 for research.