I think my husband has pancreatic cancer

Hi everyone, 

my husband started having pains in his abdomen and in the left side of his back under the last rib, the pain was on and off, but now it seems to be there constantly . He also told me that his number 2's have been runny and yellow/ mustard colour. He has had blood tests and they came back with elevated ferritin serum and alkaline phosphorylase. I have done the worst thing and googled everything above and it points to liver issues or pancreatic cancer!! 
he has developed more symptoms recently 

he has a huge bloated stomach ( previously he was very slim) 

he has pain that takes his breath away in his back and side. 
he has reflux/ indigestion for months of not years. 
he also has yellow in the corner of his eyes ! 
I am at my wits end, but trying to act normal ans telling him he will be okay ! He is from South Africa and all of his family live there too! 
my mum died in March this year of metatastic colon cancer, we found out 3 weeks before she died and I nursed her at home. 
many huaband is very laid back about it all but I feel there is a real rush needed here. What do I do ? 

  • Push him to go to gp and get more tests. You can't take the risk esepecially with some of the symptoms you are describing 

  • Hello and thank you for your post,

    I am sorry to hear about your husband's symptoms and the worry it is causing you and also that your mum died of colon cancer a few months ago, I can appreciate your concern.

    I am afraid that no one here can tell you what is the matter with your husband. If your husband has not seen his GP or the doctor that ordered the blood test about the results then I would encourage him to do so.  He should then let this doctor know about his current symptoms. He might need to have more tests and investigations done and a referral to a specialist doctor at the hospital, but I am not sure if that will be needed. 

    While I know his symptoms are worrying you should not assume he has cancer as there could be other reasons why he has them.  So do tell him the best thing to do to understand the blood test results is to go back to his GP and let them know about his current symptoms.  Tell your husband that it might take a couple of weeks to get a GP appointment, so he can just make that than get on with everything.  

    I hope this has helped and that your husband will be okay.

    Please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

    Take care,

    Caroline