Olivia Williams discusses ‘bizarre’ symptom of pancreatic cancer
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Since it took Olivia Williams almost four years to gain a pancreatic cancer diagnosis following the onset of her symptoms beginning in October 2014, she wants to raise awareness of the disease. Featuring on ITV’s Lorraine, Olivia shared her “very bizarre symptom” of pancreatic cancer – red flushing. “Everyone told me for four years I was peri-menopausal,” she said. “Which I wasn’t at the time, although I am now.”
Olivia urges people over the age of 40 to talk to a doctor if they’re experiencing “unusual bowel movements over a long period of time”.
“I know that we think sex or death is the last taboo; I’m telling you, it’s faeces,” Olivia put bluntly.
“Talk to people about your faeces if it’s unusual for a long period of time,” she emphasised.
There’s a possibility that “there is something more wrong with you.. [than] irritable bowel syndrome”.
Pancreatic cancer
As the tumour grows, symptoms of the disease “may come and go”, Pancreatic Cancer UK stated.
Common symptoms include:
- Tummy or back pain
- Weight loss
- Indigestion.
Tummy or back pain
The pain may start as general discomfort or tenderness in the tummy area and may spread to the back, the charity explained.
The discomfort may be worse when lying down, and sitting forward can sometimes make it feel better.
Other symptoms of pancreatic cancer might include:
- Losing your appetite
- Changes to bowel habits
- Jaundice
- Recently diagnosed diabetes
- Digestion issues
- Feeling or being sick
- Blood clots
- Fatigue.
Any symptom that is lasting for four weeks or longer needs to be investigated by your GP.
Delving into the symptoms further, change in bowel habits include:
- Runny poo (diarrhoea)
- Constipation (finding it harder to poo).
“Pancreatic cancer can also cause pale, oily poo – which is called steatorrhoea,” the charity warned.
This type of poo “may be large, smell horrible, float and can be difficult to flush down the toilet”.
Such a turd is a tell-tale sign of fat in the faeces, which can show that food isn’t being digested properly.
Jaundice
Signs of jaundice include yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale poo and itchy skin.
People showing signs of jaundice are recommended to visit their local A&E department.
Less common signs of pancreatic cancer include having a fever, shivering, and generally feeling unwell.
Some people may not be able to swallow their food properly, as they feel too full.
Do take note of any symptoms you’re experiencing and how long you’re experiencing them for.
This documentation will help you and your doctor identify what the underlying cause could be.
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