Potential pitfall: A migraine headache is typically a unilateral, frontal, throbbing headache which may be associated with photophobia or phonophobia. Although the intensity can vary, the characteristics of the headache tend not to change. Helpful hint: The most...
Friday 21st August 2020 Did you miss our free webinar on Suspected Cancer Referrals and COVID-19? Watch it here. Miss Susannah Penney, Consultant Head, Neck and Thyroid Surgeon, receives over 2000 cancer referrals a year. When making a suspected cancer referral, are...
False negative chest X-rays The main investigation for suspected lung cancer in primary care is a chest X-ray. However, reports show that some patients with normal chest X-rays still transpire to have lung cancer. Potential pitfall Although most large lung cancers can...
Sudden onset diabetes Symptoms of pancreatic cancer can often be vague; however sudden onset diabetes can be a potential indicator of the disease. Potential pitfall Diabetes, especially Type 2, is common among the general population. However, consideration should be...
Pancreatic cancer diagnoses can be missed due to the non-site specific nature of some early symptoms. However, according to CRUK, up to 70% of patients with pancreatic cancer initially visit the doctor with upper abdominal or back pain.
Pain often presents in the right upper quadrant (RUQ pain). It can begin as general discomfort, such as pressure under the ribs or pain in the abdomen radiating to the back, similar to a pulled muscle or stomach cramps. Patients may note that sitting forward can sometimes relieve the pain but can worsen when lying down or after eating, especially with fatty foods.
In line with NICE guidelines, the presentation of back or abdominal pain in people aged 60 and over combined with weight loss should be considered for an urgent direct access CT scan to assess for pancreatic cancer (to be performed within 2 weeks), or an urgent ultrasound scan if CT is not available.
Download this Cancer Key here.
Access GatewayC’s course on early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer here.
Potential pitfall: A migraine headache is typically a unilateral, frontal, throbbing headache which may be associated with photophobia or phonophobia. Although the intensity can vary, the characteristics of the headache tend not to change. Helpful hint: The most...
Friday 21st August 2020 Did you miss our free webinar on Suspected Cancer Referrals and COVID-19? Watch it here. Miss Susannah Penney, Consultant Head, Neck and Thyroid Surgeon, receives over 2000 cancer referrals a year. When making a suspected cancer referral, are...
False negative chest X-rays The main investigation for suspected lung cancer in primary care is a chest X-ray. However, reports show that some patients with normal chest X-rays still transpire to have lung cancer. Potential pitfall Although most large lung cancers can...
Sudden onset diabetes Symptoms of pancreatic cancer can often be vague; however sudden onset diabetes can be a potential indicator of the disease. Potential pitfall Diabetes, especially Type 2, is common among the general population. However, consideration should be...