Actress Olivia Williams, who starred in the films “Sixth Sense”, “Education”, “Rushmore College” and others, shared a “strange” symptom of pancreatic cancer, which she managed to overcome, writes Daily Express.
It took Olivia almost four years to refine her diagnosis after the first symptoms appeared in October 2014. After overcoming the disease, the actress wants to raise awareness about her symptoms. Olivia shared her “very strange symptom” of pancreatic cancer – flushing.
“INeveryone told me for four years that I had perimenopause. But at that time she was not, now she is“, she shares.
The actress also encourages people over 40 to see a doctor if they notice “unusual bowel movements for a long time.”
“As the tumor grows, the symptoms of the disease may come and go“, she said, but now as an ambassador for a pancreatic cancer awareness campaign in the UK.
It also indicates the general symptoms of the disease, which include: abdominal or back pain, weight loss, indigestion.
The pain can start as general discomfort or pain in the abdomen, and spread to the back. Discomfort can worsen when a person lies down, and moving the torso forward can sometimes lead to relief.
Additional symptoms include loss of appetite, jaundice, altered bowel behavior, newly diagnosed diabetes, digestive problems, fatigue and weakness.
Each of these symptoms, if lasting four or more weeks, should be consulted by a physician.
More in-depth symptoms of the disease, manifested in changes in intestinal behavior, should be considered in case of constipation or diarrhea (liquid stools).
Pancreatic cancer can also cause pale oily stools (steatorrhea). Such stools are a clear sign of faecal fat, which may mean that food is not digested properly.
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