Gastroenterologist Warns: Indigestion After Meals May Signal Early Pancreatic Cancer

When it comes to cancer, early detection can make an enormous difference—and that's especially true of pancreatic cancer. The pancreas sits deep in the abdomen, tucked behind the stomach, which means a tumor there can grow for a while before it causes noticeable problems or shows up on a routine exam. By the time many people are diagnosed, the cancer has already spread.

Pancreatic cancer isn't one of the most common cancers. According to the American Cancer Society, it accounts for about 3% of all cancers in the U.S. But it's responsible for roughly 8% of all cancer deaths, and it's currently the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the country, behind lung and colorectal cancers. The ACS estimates that about 67,530 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2026, and the five-year survival rate remains just 13%.

Part of what makes this cancer so hard to catch is that its early warning signs tend to be subtle. They often overlap with far more common (and far less serious) health issues, so they're easy to chalk up to stress, a busy week or simply getting older. Many people don'...