**Title: Man Diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer After Ignoring Chest Pain**
**Subtitle: Andrew’s story brings hope for those fighting pancreatic cancer**
*London, UK – An inspirational story emerges as Andrew, a 57-year-old man, shares his battle with stage three pancreatic cancer to offer hope and raise awareness about the disease. Andrew’s diagnosis came after he ignored chest pain, assuming it was merely a result of his strenuous work as a plumber.*
Andrew’s experience sheds light on a concerning trend amongst men, who often dismiss their symptoms, as highlighted in a survey conducted by the Cleveland Clinic in 2019. The survey revealed that nearly two-thirds of men in the US tend to delay seeking medical treatment for health symptoms they notice.
Upon his routine check-up, Andrew’s doctors, initially not overly concerned due to his overall well-being, noted healthy levels of weight, heart rate, and blood pressure. However, a few weeks after the check-up, Andrew realized that his eyes appeared yellow and his skin had become itchy – both common symptoms of jaundice, often associated with pancreatic cancer. Blood tests taken during the check-up revealed that his liver was not functioning properly.
Pancreatic cancer, notorious for its difficulty in early detection, is often diagnosed at later stages when tumors have grown significantly or metastasized. Andrew’s diagnosis was determined to be at stage three, indicating that the cancer had already spread from his pancreas to other parts of his body.
According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 64,050 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the US in 2023. Survival rates vary depending on the stage of cancer, with a 44% five-year survival rate for cases where the cancer has not spread beyond the pancreas. However, the survival rate drops significantly to 3% when the cancer has metastasized.
Factors that increase the risk of developing pancreatic cancer include smoking cigarettes, age (with the majority of patients aged 45 or older), obesity, family history of pancreatic cancer, chronic pancreatitis, and diabetes.
Andrew’s treatment involved the insertion of a stent in his squashed bile duct to restore proper function and reduce fluid in his stomach. He underwent surgery to remove the tumor, which was followed by six months of chemotherapy. By Christmas, just four months after his initial diagnosis, Andrew was already on the path to recovery. After completing his chemotherapy, he was declared cancer-free.
Andrew, in collaboration with Pancreatic Cancer UK, shared his story to inspire others facing a similar diagnosis and to educate people about the disease and its treatment options. By recounting his journey, he hopes to give people hope and encouragement in the face of this challenging illness.
The story of Andrew serves as a reminder of the importance of timely medical intervention and the need to raise awareness about pancreatic cancer, particularly among individuals who might dismiss their symptoms, resulting in delayed diagnosis and treatment. With brave individuals like Andrew sharing their experiences, there is a glimmer of hope amidst the fight against this formidable disease.
*This article was originally published on Insider.*