What symptoms led to your cancer diagnosis and what tests confirmed it?

This question about early symptoms and diagnostic testing comes up frequently in the pancreatic cancer community, as many people want to understand the path to diagnosis better. Community members often share their experiences with symptoms like abdominal pain, weight loss, digestive changes, and jaundice, along with the various tests their doctors used - including blood markers, imaging scans, and biopsies - to reach a definitive diagnosis. Hearing from others who have been through similar diagnostic journeys can provide valuable insights and help connect with people who truly understand this experience.

Hi Deb! I've been wondering about this exact same thing - it seems like everyone's path to diagnosis is so different and I'm curious to hear what others experienced too. You're definitely not alone in wanting to understand how others got their answers.

I was having the following symptoms: Loss of appetite Pale Stool Dark Urine Itchy Skin ( Especially at night) Fatigue Elevated liver enzymes What took me to ER to then be diagnosed with this was the animated liver enzymes, and loss of appetite. Hope this helps

*Elevated

Same as Nadia, plus jaundice. After a 2 week hospitalization, they didn't find cancer. At a follow-up appt, the surgeon suspected a ductal cancer which was confirmed by a "spy glass" procedure/biopsy in January. I ended up taking my 2nd opinion Cleveland clinic's diagnosis of a locally advanced pancreatic cancer, which they diagnosed from all the hospital imaging/procedures.

Nov 2024. My symptom of severe itching appeared when on a cruise ship. The ship’s doctor did a liver function test because I had strong itching and then jaundice. The itching was the main symptom. Went to hosp as soon as I got off the ship. GI doctor did an ERCP diagnosing my PCa as Stage 2b. I refused Whipple surgery at age 86. Now 87 and resuming second course of Paclitaxil chemo right this minute. Wish me good luck!

Wish you best of luck!