Does winter give you an unusual itch? New findings link it with a deadly cancer
Pancreatic Cancer Action, a UK charity dedicated to early detection, encourages anyone concerned about the above symptoms to trust their instincts. CEO Anthony Cummings said, "If you spot these signs and act early, you stand a far greater chance of surviving this disease."
New Delhi: As parts of the world, including India, brace themselves for freezing temperatures, doctors are warning that some winter irritations shouldn’t be ignored. Chilly, dry air often leaves people rubbing their eyes, blowing their nose, or scratching dry skin — but one form of persistent itching could be far more serious than simple weather irritation.
Consultant pancreatic surgeon Mr Neville Menezes, based at Ashford and St Peter’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, is urging people to watch their bodies closely this winter. He warns that itchy skin can, in some cases, be an early sign of pancreatic cancer — one of the most lethal cancers in the UK.
Pancreatic cancer is often labelled the "silent killer” because it rarely causes obvious symptoms in its early stages. Most patients are diagnosed only after the disease has already progressed, which is why the five-year survival rate remains shockingly low, at under seven per cent. Early detection, however, can dramatically improve someone’s chances of survival.
"Pancreatic cancer can develop quietly,” Mr Menezes explained. "By the time symptoms become severe, the disease is often advanced. Recognising subtle changes in your body and acting quickly can make all the difference.”
Warning Signs to Look Out For
Mr Menezes highlighted several symptoms that may seem unrelated but can signal a problem when they occur together:
- Persistent pain, especially in the upper abdomen or back, that doesn’t respond to painkillers or acid-reducing medication.
- Itchy skin, particularly before jaundice develops.
- Jaundice, which causes a yellow tint to the skin or eyes, often occurs alongside dark urine or pale stools.
- Unexplained weight loss or a long-lasting loss of appetite.
- Sudden diabetes, especially in those over 50 who have no family history or risk factors.
- Digestive changes, including nausea, ongoing indigestion, bloating, or altered bowel habits without a clear cause.
Why Pancreatic Cancer Can Cause Itching
Itching linked to pancreatic cancer is usually caused by a bile duct blockage. When a tumour blocks the duct, bile can no longer flow into the digestive system. Instead, bile salts and bilirubin build up in the bloodstream, triggering itchiness that may spread across the body, often becoming most intense on the legs, arms, chest and feet.
Mr Menezes stresses that most people experiencing these symptoms will not have cancer. However, symptoms that persist for more than four weeks should never be dismissed. "It’s crucial to see your GP to make sure that these are not serious symptoms,” he said.
Early Testing and Future Hope
GPs now have access to non-specific but Serious Symptoms Clinics (NSSSC) designed to pick up possible cancers earlier, even when symptoms are vague. Menezes runs one of these clinics and believes major breakthroughs in early diagnosis are coming. He says new tools — from biomarkers to AI-driven detection — may soon transform cancer care. Advances in immunotherapy, precision drugs and targeted treatments offer hope for a future where many cancers could be curable.
Pancreatic Cancer Action, a UK charity dedicated to early detection, encourages anyone concerned about the above symptoms to trust their instincts. CEO Anthony Cummings said, "If you spot these signs and act early, you stand a far greater chance of surviving this disease.”