Legendary musician Andy Rourke has died at the age of 59 following a long fight with pancreatic cancer.
The deadly disease has one of the lowest survival rates when compared to other forms of cancer. However, as with most cancers, the earlier it's spotted, the better your prognosis.
Despite this, pancreatic cancer can be tricky to spot which has earned it the nickname 'the silent disease'. Cancer Research UK says only five per cent of patients survive for more than a decade following a diagnosis, the Mirror reports.
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Because of this, it's important to be aware of the symptoms of pancreatic cancer. You should always visit a doctor immediately if you notice these symptoms as they can often be mistake for less serious health conditions.
The two most serious symptoms associated with pancreatic cancer include jaundice (yellowing of the skin) and bleeding in the stomach or intestine. Other symptoms can also include increased thirst and dark yellow urine.
People should also keep an eye out for problems swallowing, diarrhoe, a change in bowel habits, vomiting, or digestion. Other symptoms include abdominal mass or abdominal pain, eight loss, constipation, fat in stool, nausea, flatulence, heartburn, fever, tiredness, appetite loss, itching and back pain.
Dr Weiqi Liao, data scientist at the University of Oxford, said: "When pancreatic cancer is diagnosed earlier, patients have a higher chance of survival. It is possible to diagnose patients when they visit their GP, but both patients and GPs need to be aware of the symptoms associated with pancreatic cancer."
Dr Pippa Corrie, chair of the pancreatic workstream of the NCRI Upper Gastrointestinal Group and Consultant Medical Oncologist at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, UK, said: "Being aware of the early symptoms of pancreatic cancer is crucial if we are to diagnose patients earlier and improve pancreatic cancer survival.
"This research could help GPs and their patients know more about the signs of pancreatic cancer. It's vital that people speak to their GP if they notice these symptoms."
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