10. Jaundice (Yellowing of the Skin or Eyes)
Jaundice — the yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes — is one of the more dramatic visual signals the body produces. It is caused by the buildup of bilirubin, a substance made in the liver. When the common bile duct becomes blocked, bile can’t reach the intestines. Cancers starting in the head of the pancreas are near this duct and can press on it while still fairly small, which can sometimes lead to these tumors being found at an earlier stage.
In addition to the hallmark yellowing, jaundice can also cause darker-than-normal urine and light or clay-colored stools. The AACR Cancer Progress Report 2025 notes that the overall 5-year relative survival rate for pancreatic cancer is just 13%, making early recognition of warning signs — including jaundice — critical. Any jaundice without an obvious cause should be evaluated by a physician immediately.