12 weeks. That’s all it took for pancreatic cancer—one of the deadliest cancers worldwide—to take my father’s life. It is often called a silent killer for good reason: the disease advances quietly, with few early symptoms, until treatment options are limited.

A Silent and Aggressive Can:cer

Pancreatic cancer receives little media attention compared to lung, breast, or colon cancer. Yet it remains one of the most serious, ranking 4th in cancer-related deaths.

• In France alone, nearly 16,000 new cases are diagnosed each year (Santé Publique France, 2023).
• Worldwide, incidence is rising by 2–3% annually.
• The five-year survival rate is still below 10%.

Diagnosis typically comes late: the average age at detection is 71 for men and 74 for women. By then, more than three-quarters of tumors are already inoperable. Only complete surgical removal offers a chance at long-term survival—making early recognition critical.

The Two Symptoms We Missed

Looking back, there were two clear warning signs we should have taken more seriously.

1. Persistent Abdominal or Back Pain

My father first complained of back discomfort, which he blamed on posture and age. But the pain persisted, spread to his upper abdomen, and became worse at night or after meals.

This type of dull, radiating pain—especially when it lingers or intensifies—is a common early sign of pancreatic cancer. Unfortunately, it is often mistaken for minor digestive or muscular issues.

2. Rapid, Unexplained Weight Loss

Within three weeks, my father lost more than five kilos without trying. His appetite disappeared, and fatigue set in. We attributed it to stress—but it was the cancer disrupting his pancreas’ role in digestion.

Sudden weight loss without clear cause is a red flag and should always prompt medical evaluation.

Other Warning Signs to Watch For

While pain and weight loss are the most telling, other symptoms may also appear:

• Jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes), often from blocked bile ducts
• Chronic fatigue that persists despite rest
• Light-colored stools or dark urine, linked to bile flow issues
• Nausea, bloating, indigestion, especially after meals
• New-onset diabetes after age 50, with no clear risk factors

Individually, these may seem minor. Together, they should not be ignored.

Who Is Most at Risk?

Anyone can develop pancreatic cancer, but certain factors increase vulnerability:

• Age: Most cases occur after 60
• Tobacco use: Doubles the risk (about 25% of cases linked to smoking)
• Family history: A close relative with pancreatic cancer raises risk significantly
• Late-onset type 2 diabetes: Appearing after age 50 without clear cause
• Obesity and sedentary lifestyle: Promote chronic inflammation
• Chronic pancreatitis, especially alcohol-related

The Bottom Line

Pancreatic cancer is difficult to detect and devastating when diagnosed late. Awareness is the first line of defense. If you or a loved one experience persistent abdominal/back pain or unexplained weight loss, seek medical evaluation without delay.

It is better to raise a false alarm than to discover this disease too late. Knowledge of the early signs could save precious time—and lives.