Cancer is a deadly disease that’s caused by specific cells in the body reproducing uncontrollably, according to the NHS. These cancerous cells can destroy the healthy tissue surrounding them – including vital organs. More than a third of all people will develop cancer at some point in their lifetime. You could be at risk of pancreatic cancer symptoms if your poo is particularly smelly, it’s been revealed.
Having very smelly poo could be a sign of steatorrhoea; an increased fat content in your stools, said medical website Virtual Medical Centre.
The condition may be caused by pancreatic cancer, because the cancer causes problems with digestion.
People with steatorrhoea may also have oily, pale or loose stools that tend to float, it warned.
“Steatorrhoea is a condition characterised by an increase in fat content in stools leading to the production of pale, bulky, offensive and loose stools,” said the medical website.
“You may notice the following symptoms if you suffer steatorrhoea: foul-smelling faeces, bulky stools, pale stools, greasy stools, or loose stools.”
Pancreatic Cancer UK added: “Pancreatic cancer and treatments can cause bowel problems including constipation, diarrhoea, and steatorrhoea.”
“Pancreatic cancer often doesn’t cause any signs or symptoms in the early stages.
“This can make it hard to diagnose early. As the cancer grows, it may start to cause symptoms.”
You may also have steatorrhoea if it takes a long time for your stool to be flushed down the toilet, added the charity.
Other pancreatic cancer symptoms include having persistent diarrhoea, unexplained weight loss, or stomach pain.
The diarrhoea can cause patients to rush to the toilet, or develop stomach cramps.
Pancreatic cancer is caused by an abnormal growth in the pancreas – a gland that forms part of the digestive system, said the NHS.
It’s uncommon in people under 40 years old, and around half of all cases are diagnosed in people over 74 years old.
You could be more at risk of the disease if you’re a smoker, are overweight, or have a history of other medical conditions, including diabetes or chronic pancreatitis.
Just over a fifth of all pancreatic cancer patients survive for a year after their initial diagnosis.
There are around 10,000 new cases of the cancer diagnosed in the UK every year, added Cancer Research UK.