As winter's first cold snap grips the UK, with Scottish temperatures plummeting to minus twelve degrees, many of us are dealing with irritating symptoms like dry, itchy skin. The cold air strips moisture from our skin, leaving it feeling uncomfortable and scratchy.
But a top cancer surgeon is warning that persistent itching might signal something far more serious than just winter weather effects.
Consultant pancreatic surgeon at Ashford and St Peters Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Mr Neville Menezes, cautions that ongoing itchy skin could be an early warning sign of pancreatic cancer.
"Pancreatic cancer can develop quietly. By the time symptoms become severe, the disease is often advanced," he explained.
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Pancreatic cancer has the worst survival rate among common cancers
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This devastating disease has earned the grim nickname "silent killer" because its early stages typically show no symptoms. By the time people notice something's wrong, it's often already advanced.
The statistics are sobering - pancreatic cancer has the worst survival rate among common cancers, with fewer than seven in every 100 patients surviving five years after diagnosis.
"Recognising subtle changes in your body and acting quickly can make all the difference," Mr Menezes explained, noting that he's concerned people often dismiss early symptoms as harmless or completely unrelated to cancer.
The cancer surgeon identified six crucial symptoms that shouldn't be ignored, particularly when they occur together.
These include ongoing pain in the upper abdomen or back that won't respond to painkillers or stomach acid medication.
Itchy skin that appears before jaundice sets in is another red flag. When jaundice does develop, you'll notice yellowing of the skin or eyes, often alongside dark urine or pale stools.
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Other warning signs include unexplained weight loss or persistent appetite loss.
People over 50 should be especially alert to sudden diabetes onset, particularly those without a family history who maintain healthy diets and lifestyles.
Finally, ongoing digestive problems like nausea, indigestion, bloating or unexplained bowel habit changes warrant attention.
When pancreatic cancer causes itchy skin, it's due to bile salts accumulating in the bloodstream. The tumour blocks the bile duct, preventing bile from reaching the intestines. This causes bilirubin and other bile salts to build up in the blood, triggering that maddening itch.
It's crucial to see your GP if symptoms persist for more than four weeks
| GETTYThe itching can affect the entire body but tends to be worst on the legs, chest, arms and feet. Mr Menezes advises that whilst these symptoms don't automatically mean cancer, anyone experiencing them for more than four weeks should see their GP.
"These symptoms don't always mean pancreatic cancer, but if they persist for more than four weeks, it's crucial to see your GP to make sure that these are not serious symptoms," he says.
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