Pancreatic cancer can be difficult to diagnose. This is because it doesn’t usually cause many specific symptoms in the early stages, and symptoms can be quite vague.
Give your GP a good description of your symptoms, including any changes to your bowel habits. Tell your GP about anything unusual, even if you aren’t sure it’s important. You might find our tips for talking to your GP helpful.
Some people see their GP several times before getting a diagnosis. If you have unexplained symptoms that last four weeks or more, go back to your GP until you get a firm diagnosis, or a referral for tests to find out what’s causing them. Read more about seeing your GP.
Your GP may refer you for tests at the hospital to work out what is causing your symptoms.
You may need several different tests to work out what’s causing your symptoms. It may take some time to get a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.
You may have different tests at different times. Your hospital will give you detailed information on the tests you will need and where you will need to go for your appointments.
To read more about how pancreatic cancer is diagnosed, download our fact sheet, How is pancreatic cancer diagnosed?
You can also order a printed copy.
Your test results will confirm if you have pancreatic cancer or not. If you do have pancreatic cancer, the test results will give your doctor detailed information on your cancer and its stage. The stage of your cancer describes the size of the cancer and whether it has spread around the pancreas, or to other parts of the body. This information helps your doctor work out the best treatment for you.
It can take time to come to terms with a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. You and your family should be given information and support to help you deal with your diagnosis and the emotional impact of pancreatic cancer.
If you have recently been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, find out more about what your diagnosis means.
Speak to your GP, consultant or specialist nurse if you have any questions.
You can also speak to our specialist nurses on our free Support Line about the tests you are having or your diagnosis.
Email us at publications@pancreaticcancer.org.uk for a list of sources used to write this information
We would like to thank the following people who reviewed our
information on how pancreatic cancer is diagnosed:
Updated December 2020
Review date December 2023
