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Wales Online
Wales Online
Health
Lydia Stephens

What are the symptoms of pancreatic cancer? Bobby Davro's fiancée Vicky dies days after sharing diagnosis

Bobby Davro's fiancée Vicky Wright has sadly died just days after her cancer diagnosis was revealed. Kelly Wright-Warhurst, Vicky's daughter announced the news on Twitter on Thursday morning.

Comedian Bobby Davro told the Daily Star just days ago that his fiancee Vicky was battling pancreatic cancer. Vicky's famous father, Billy Wright, former Wolves player and England captain died from the same form of cancer in 1994.

Speaking to the Daily Star, her fiancé Bobby Davro, 64, said: "To see someone as beautiful as her with this ­illness is horrific. It's so sad. It's extremely, ­extremely, ­extremely painful. My best advice for someone in a similar position is that laughter is the best medicine. I always remember this quote, 'Don't let the world change your smile – get your smile to change the world'."

Read more: What are the symptoms of gastric cancer?

Announcing the news on Thursday, her daughter, Kelly, said: "Hello everyone. Some incredibly devastating news to share as my wonderful mum Vicky has sadly passed away this morning. I wanted to use this platform to let you all know, as I know how much she valued all your love and support in so many ways."

What is pancreatic cancer?

Pancreatic cancer is a cancer that is found anywhere in the pancreas. According to the NHS, the pancreas is an organ at the top part of your belly. It helps you digest food and makes hormones, such as insulin. How serious pancreatic cancer is depends on where it is in the pancreas, how big it is, if it has spread, and your general health.

What causes pancreatic cancer?

Anyone can get pancreatic cancer and it isn't always clear what causes it. You might be more likely to get it if you are over the age of 75 (it isn't very common in people under 40), have certain medical conditions, such as long-term chronic pancreatitis or there is a family history. Many pancreatic cancers are also linked to a person's lifestyle.

The NHS says that while a cause of pancreatic cancer is not always clear, there are some things that you can do to reduce your chance of getting pancreatic cancer. You cannot always prevent cancer, but making healthy changes can lower your chances of getting it. Advice includes:

  • try to lose weight if you are overweight
  • cut down on how much red and processed meat you eat (such as ham, bacon and salami)
  • cut down on alcohol - avoid drinking more than 14 units a week
  • quit smoking

What are the signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer?

Pancreatic cancer may not always have symptoms and they are sometimes hard to spot. Some of the symptoms could be a sign of irritable bowel syndrome. A person may get used to living with these symptoms, but it is important to get them checked by a GP if they worsen or don't feel normal.

According to the NHS, the symptoms of pancreatic cancer include:

  • the whites of your eyes or your skin turn yellow (jaundice), and you may also have itchy skin, darker pee and paler poo than usual
  • loss of appetite or losing weight without trying to
  • feeling tired or having no energy
  • a high temperature, or feeling hot or shivery

Other symptoms can affect your digestion, such as:

  • feeling or being sick
  • diarrhoea or constipation, or other changes in your poo
  • pain at the top part of your tummy and your back, which may feel worse when you're eating or lying down and better when you lean forward
  • symptoms of indigestion, such as feeling bloated

Treatment for pancreatic cancer

If you are presenting any of the symptoms above, it is important that you go to your GP who may refer you to a specialists. Tests to diagnose the cancer include:

  • blood tests
  • scans, like an ultrasound scan (sometimes from inside your body using an endoscope), CT scan, PET scan, or MRI scan
  • collecting a small sample of cells from the pancreas (called a biopsy) to be checked for cancer
  • a small operation to look inside your tummy, called a laparoscopy
  • a test called an ERCP

Treatment depends on the size and type of pancreatic cancer you have, where it is, if it has spread and your general health. It may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and supportive care.

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