12 Signs of Pancreatic Cancer You Should Never Ignore
Pancreatic cancer is one of those illnesses that can remain difficult to recognize because it often causes few or no noticeable symptoms in its early stages. By the time symptoms become obvious, the disease may already have grown or spread. That does not mean every digestive complaint is a warning sign of cancer, but it does mean persistent or unexplained changes deserve appropriate medical attention.
The pancreas is a small organ located behind the stomach. It helps the body digest food by producing digestive enzymes and also produces hormones such as insulin that help regulate blood sugar. Most pancreatic cancers begin in cells lining the ducts that carry digestive enzymes, with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma being the most common type.
A headline claiming there are exactly “12 signs” should not be interpreted as saying that these are twelve symptoms everyone with pancreatic cancer will experience. There is no single checklist that can diagnose the disease. The National Cancer Institute and American Cancer Society describe a range of possible symptoms, and many of those symptoms are also caused by much more common conditions.
Still, knowing what changes can occur can help people recognize when it is sensible to speak with a healthcare professional.
Here are twelve symptoms or clinical clues worth understanding.
1. Persistent Pain in the Upper Abdomen
One of the most frequently reported symptoms of pancreatic cancer is pain or discomfort in the abdomen, especially in the upper or middle part of the abdomen.
Some people describe a dull ache.
Others may experience a deeper or more persistent discomfort.
The pain can sometimes become more noticeable after eating or may come and go.
The American Cancer Society explains that pancreatic tumors can press on nearby organs or affect nerves around the pancreas. Tumors in the body or tail of the pancreas may grow relatively large before producing noticeable pain.
However, abdominal pain is extremely common and has many possible causes, including indigestion, ulcers, gallbladder disease, pancreatitis, irritable bowel syndrome and other gastrointestinal conditions.
Therefore, abdominal pain by itself does not mean pancreatic cancer.
The important issue is the pattern.
Pain that persists, repeatedly returns, becomes progressively worse, or occurs alongside unexplained weight loss, jaundice or changes in digestion deserves medical evaluation.
2. Back Pain That Does Not Have an Obvious Explanation
Pancreatic cancer can also produce pain in the back.
The pancreas sits deep within the abdomen, and a tumor can affect nearby nerves or structures. The American Cancer Society notes that pancreatic cancer may cause abdominal or back pain, while Mayo Clinic describes abdominal pain that can spread toward the back or sides.
This can be confusing because back pain is extremely common.
Muscle strain, arthritis, disc problems, posture and many other conditions can cause it.
The reason back pain becomes more concerning in the context of pancreatic disease is not that the location itself proves anything. It is that persistent back discomfort combined with other unexplained symptoms can form a pattern.
For example, a person who develops ongoing upper-abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss and new jaundice should not assume that the back pain is simply a musculoskeletal problem.
The combination deserves medical assessment.
3. Yellowing of the Skin or Eyes
One of the most recognizable signs associated with pancreatic cancer is jaundice, a yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes.
Jaundice occurs when bilirubin, a yellow-brown substance produced during the breakdown of red blood cells, builds up in the body.
Some pancreatic tumors, particularly those arising in the head of the pancreas, can block the common bile duct. When bile cannot flow normally, bilirubin accumulates and jaundice can result.
The appearance may begin subtly.
The whites of the eyes may look yellow before the skin becomes noticeably yellow.
Jaundice can sometimes be easier to see under natural light than artificial indoor lighting.
But pancreatic cancer is not the most common cause of jaundice. Gallstones, hepatitis, liver disease and problems involving the bile ducts can cause it as well.
Even so, unexplained jaundice should be evaluated promptly, because it can indicate an obstruction or another condition requiring treatment.
4. Dark Urine
Dark urine can be another sign associated with jaundice.
When bilirubin levels increase in the bloodstream, some of that bilirubin is excreted through the urine, causing it to become darker—sometimes brownish rather than its usual pale yellow color.
People may notice the urine looks unusually dark despite drinking their normal amount of fluid.
Dark urine has many possible explanations, however.
Dehydration can make urine appear darker.
Certain medications and foods can change urine color.
Liver or bile-duct disorders can also produce dark urine.
The important clue is the combination with other changes.
Dark urine accompanied by yellow eyes, pale stool or itching is more suggestive of a problem involving bile flow than dark urine occurring alone.
5. Pale, Greasy, or Floating Stools
Changes in bowel movements can sometimes provide clues that the digestive system is not processing bile or pancreatic enzymes normally.
The American Cancer Society explains that pancreatic tumors can obstruct the bile duct and interfere with the normal flow of bile into the intestine. Bile contributes to the normal brown color of stool. When bile flow is blocked, stools can become unusually light or gray.
Pancreatic problems can also interfere with digestion.
The pancreas normally releases enzymes that help break down fats, proteins and carbohydrates.
When insufficient pancreatic enzymes reach the intestine, stools may become greasy, oily or difficult to flush. They may also float.
These changes are not specific to pancreatic cancer.
Other pancreatic disorders, bile-duct problems and intestinal diseases can cause similar effects.
Nevertheless, persistent unexplained changes in stool appearance—particularly when combined with weight loss or jaundice—should be discussed with a healthcare professional.
6. Persistent Itching
Itching may seem unrelated to cancer, but it can accompany jaundice.
When bilirubin and other substances associated with impaired bile flow accumulate in the body, the skin can become intensely itchy.
The itching may occur over a large area of the body rather than in one specific spot.
Mayo Clinic and the National Cancer Institute both list itching among symptoms that can occur with pancreatic cancer.
Again, itching is common and usually has causes other than cancer.
Dry skin, allergies, eczema, medications, kidney disease and liver disease are among the many possibilities.
What makes unexplained itching more concerning is the context.
If someone develops persistent generalized itching at the same time as yellow eyes, dark urine and pale stools, it is important to seek medical evaluation because those symptoms can indicate impaired bile flow.
7. Unexplained Weight Loss
Losing weight without intentionally changing your diet or exercise routine can be an important warning sign.
The National Cancer Institute lists unexplained weight loss among the symptoms that may occur with pancreatic cancer, and the American Cancer Society describes weight loss as a common symptom.
Several mechanisms may contribute.
A person may lose appetite.
Pain or nausea may make eating difficult.
Digestive enzyme production may be reduced, interfering with nutrient absorption.
Cancer itself can alter metabolism and increase the body's energy demands.
The result may be gradual or sometimes substantial weight loss.
But unexplained weight loss does not automatically mean cancer.
Thyroid disorders, digestive diseases, infections, depression, medication effects and many other conditions can produce it.
The important point is that persistent unintended weight loss should not be dismissed, particularly when it occurs alongside other new symptoms.
8. Loss of Appetite
A noticeable reduction in appetite can accompany pancreatic cancer.
Someone who normally enjoys meals may suddenly feel full quickly or have little interest in food.
Mayo Clinic and the National Cancer Institute both include loss of appetite among possible symptoms.
A reduced appetite can contribute to weight loss, creating a cycle in which a person eats less, loses weight and becomes weaker.
There are countless reasons someone may not feel hungry.
Stress can suppress appetite.
An infection can temporarily reduce interest in food.
Digestive problems can make eating uncomfortable.
Medications can affect appetite.
Depression and other mental-health conditions can also change eating patterns.
That is why the symptom is not diagnostic by itself.
What deserves attention is an unexplained and persistent change, especially when it occurs alongside abdominal pain, jaundice, nausea or progressive weight loss.
9. Ongoing Fatigue or Weakness
Fatigue is one of the most nonspecific symptoms in medicine.
People become tired for many reasons.
Poor sleep.
Stress.
Anemia.
Infection.
Medication side effects.
Depression.
Overwork.
Nutritional deficiencies.
And many chronic illnesses can all cause fatigue.
Pancreatic cancer can also produce significant tiredness or physical weakness. Both the National Cancer Institute and American Cancer Society list fatigue or weakness among possible symptoms.
Cancer-related fatigue can feel different from ordinary tiredness.
A person may wake after a full night's sleep and still feel exhausted.
Normal activities may become more difficult.
There may be a persistent sense of weakness.
But because fatigue is so common, it is rarely meaningful without context.
Fatigue combined with unexplained weight loss, appetite loss, jaundice or persistent abdominal symptoms is more important than fatigue alone.
10. Nausea and Vomiting
Pancreatic cancer can sometimes cause nausea or vomiting.
The American Cancer Society explains that a tumor may press on the far end of the stomach or partially block the pathway through which food leaves the stomach, producing nausea, vomiting and discomfort that may worsen after meals.
Nausea can also occur because of other effects of the disease or because of complications.
But nausea and vomiting are far more commonly caused by conditions such as stomach infections, medication side effects, migraine, food poisoning, reflux and other gastrointestinal disorders.
Persistent vomiting should not be ignored regardless of the cause.
It can lead to dehydration and electrolyte disturbances.
If vomiting is accompanied by severe abdominal pain, blood, confusion, fainting or an inability to keep fluids down, urgent medical attention may be required.
11. New-Onset Diabetes or Diabetes That Suddenly Becomes Difficult to Control
This is one of the more unusual clues associated with pancreatic cancer.
The pancreas produces insulin, the hormone that helps regulate blood sugar.
When pancreatic cancer affects insulin-producing cells or disrupts pancreatic function, blood-sugar regulation can change.
The National Cancer Institute notes that new-onset diabetes can sometimes be an early sign, particularly in an individual without the usual risk factors for diabetes. Mayo Clinic similarly lists a new diagnosis of diabetes or unusually difficult-to-control diabetes as a possible symptom.
This does not mean that newly diagnosed diabetes usually turns out to be pancreatic cancer.
It does not.
Diabetes is common, and most people who develop diabetes will not have pancreatic cancer.
The clue becomes more noteworthy when diabetes appears unexpectedly later in life or when blood sugar becomes substantially harder to control without an obvious explanation—especially when other pancreatic symptoms are present.
A doctor can determine whether additional evaluation is appropriate.
12. Signs of a Blood Clot, Including Leg Pain or Swelling
Pancreatic cancer can increase the tendency of the blood to form clots.
A clot in a deep vein, known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), can cause pain, swelling, redness or warmth, commonly in one leg.
The American Cancer Society explains that a blood clot can sometimes be the first clue that a person has pancreatic cancer.
Mayo Clinic similarly lists pain and swelling in an arm or leg as a possible sign when a blood clot occurs.
But most blood clots are caused by factors other than pancreatic cancer.
Recent surgery, prolonged immobility, pregnancy, certain medications, obesity, inherited clotting disorders and other conditions can increase clot risk.
The important point is that an unexplained new blood clot—especially when combined with other symptoms—should be medically evaluated.
There is also a critical emergency warning.
If part of a clot travels to the lungs, it can cause a pulmonary embolism. Sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing up blood, severe dizziness or fainting can be signs of a medical emergency and require immediate emergency care.
Why These Symptoms Often Appear Late
One of the biggest challenges with pancreatic cancer is that the pancreas is located deep inside the abdomen.
Small tumors may not produce obvious symptoms.
The NCI states that pancreatic cancer often has no early signs or symptoms and that symptoms usually begin after the cancer has grown or spread.
The American Cancer Society similarly explains that early pancreatic cancers often cause no symptoms and that by the time symptoms become noticeable, tumors may have grown significantly or spread outside the pancreas.
This is one reason pancreatic cancer can be difficult to detect early.
A person may feel generally well until the tumor affects a bile duct, digestive function, nearby nerves, or another organ.
Not Every Symptom Means Cancer
This is perhaps the most important part of the entire discussion.
Reading a list of cancer symptoms online can make ordinary discomfort suddenly seem terrifying.
That is not the purpose of symptom awareness.
Almost every symptom on the list above has many possible explanations.
Abdominal pain can come from gastritis or gallstones.
Back pain can come from muscles or discs.
Weight loss can result from changes in appetite or thyroid disease.
Fatigue can result from poor sleep or anemia.
Nausea can come from infection.
Itching can result from dry skin.
Dark urine can occur with dehydration.
The American Cancer Society specifically emphasizes that symptoms such as fatigue, abdominal pain, back pain and jaundice are often caused by conditions other than pancreatic cancer.
The goal, therefore, is not to diagnose yourself.
The goal is to recognize when a pattern is persistent or unusual enough to deserve professional evaluation.
When Several Symptoms Appear Together
Individual symptoms can be nonspecific.
A pattern can be more informative.
For example, consider someone who develops:
unintentional weight loss,
loss of appetite,
upper-abdominal pain that reaches the back,
dark urine,
pale stools,
and yellowing of the eyes.
That combination deserves prompt medical assessment because several of the symptoms can occur when a pancreatic tumor obstructs bile flow or affects digestion.
Again, this does not mean the person has pancreatic cancer.
Gallstones and other liver or bile-duct conditions can cause similar findings.
Only proper medical evaluation can determine the cause.
What Doctors May Do if Symptoms Are Concerning
There is no single test that can diagnose pancreatic cancer from symptoms alone.
A clinician may begin by taking a detailed medical history and performing a physical examination.
Depending on the symptoms, imaging may be ordered.
The NCI says an abdominal ultrasound or CT scan may be used as an initial step in investigating symptoms.
Mayo Clinic describes several possible diagnostic approaches, including CT, MRI, PET imaging and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). During EUS, a physician can obtain a close-up view of the pancreas and, when appropriate, take a tissue sample for biopsy.
Blood tests may also be used in the evaluation.
One marker often discussed is CA 19-9, but it is important to understand that this is not a reliable screening test for the general population. Mayo Clinic notes that there are no accurate, validated blood tests for screening average-risk adults for pancreatic cancer.
Why Routine Screening Is Not Recommended for Everyone
Because pancreatic cancer can be difficult to detect early, people sometimes wonder whether everyone should undergo regular scans.
Current medical guidance does not recommend routine screening for average-risk adults without symptoms.
Mayo Clinic states that routine pancreatic-cancer screening is not recommended for adults who have no symptoms and are not at high risk. Screening may be considered for certain people with a strong family history or inherited genetic changes associated with increased risk.
For people at high genetic or familial risk, specialized screening programs may use MRI or endoscopic ultrasound at intervals determined by specialists.
That is different from ordering pancreatic scans for every adult.
Who Has a Higher Risk?
Doctors have identified several factors associated with increased pancreatic-cancer risk.
Mayo Clinic lists smoking, type 2 diabetes, chronic pancreatitis, family history of pancreatic cancer, certain inherited genetic syndromes, obesity and older age among risk factors. Heavy alcohol use can also contribute indirectly through chronic pancreatitis.
Age is particularly relevant because most pancreatic cancers are diagnosed in older adults. Mayo Clinic states that most people with pancreatic cancer are 65 or older.
Still, risk factors are not predictions.
A person with several risk factors may never develop pancreatic cancer.
A person with no obvious risk factors can still develop it.
Smoking and Pancreatic Cancer
Smoking is one of the better-established modifiable risk factors.
Cigarette smoke exposes the body to chemicals that can damage cells and contribute to cancer development.
Mayo Clinic includes smoking among the recognized risk factors for pancreatic cancer.
Stopping smoking has benefits far beyond pancreatic cancer.
It also lowers the risk of heart disease, stroke, lung disease and multiple other cancers.
For someone who smokes, quitting is therefore one of the most meaningful long-term health steps they can take.
Diabetes and the Pancreas Have a Complicated Relationship
The connection between diabetes and pancreatic cancer is more complicated than many online articles suggest.
Diabetes itself is a risk factor for pancreatic cancer, particularly when it has existed for some time.
At the same time, pancreatic cancer can contribute to the development of new diabetes.
That creates a two-way relationship.
The NCI therefore treats new-onset diabetes as a possible clue rather than a diagnostic test. It specifically notes that many people who develop diabetes will never develop pancreatic cancer.
So a new diabetes diagnosis should not automatically trigger fear.
It should trigger appropriate healthcare.
The doctor can consider the person's age, family history, weight, symptoms and other risk factors when deciding whether additional testing makes sense.
Chronic Pancreatitis Is Another Risk Factor
Pancreatitis means inflammation of the pancreas.
Some episodes are acute and resolve.
Chronic pancreatitis is a long-lasting condition that can damage pancreatic tissue over time.
Mayo Clinic states that chronic pancreatitis can increase pancreatic-cancer risk.
That does not mean someone with pancreatitis will develop cancer.
It means physicians may pay closer attention to changes in symptoms, particularly in patients with other risk factors.
Why Family History Matters
Some cases of pancreatic cancer occur in families.
Inherited gene changes can increase risk, as can having close relatives with pancreatic cancer.
Mayo Clinic lists several inherited syndromes and gene changes associated with increased risk, including BRCA2 and Lynch syndrome, among others.
A person with a strong family history may benefit from discussing genetic counseling with a healthcare professional.
That conversation can help determine whether genetic testing or specialized surveillance is appropriate.
What About Bloating?
Bloating and gas can occur with pancreatic cancer, and the NCI includes gas or bloating among possible symptoms.
However, bloating is incredibly common.
Dietary changes, constipation, lactose intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome, menstruation, reflux and many other benign conditions can cause it.
That makes bloating one of the least specific symptoms on the list.
Persistent bloating should still be assessed when it is new, severe, unexplained or accompanied by significant weight loss, jaundice, vomiting or persistent abdominal pain.
What About Gallbladder Enlargement?
The pancreas and bile system are closely connected anatomically.
A tumor near the head of the pancreas can block the common bile duct, causing bile to build up.
The American Cancer Society notes that this can enlarge the gallbladder, while the NCI lists gallbladder or liver enlargement among possible findings.
This is typically something a doctor discovers through examination or imaging rather than something a person reliably identifies at home.
A painless enlarged gallbladder may occasionally be detected during a clinical examination.
The liver may also become enlarged, particularly if disease has spread there.
Again, these findings are not diagnostic by themselves.
Why Pancreatic Cancer Can Affect Digestion
The pancreas is part of the digestive system.
It releases enzymes that help break food down.
If pancreatic function becomes impaired, the body may not digest fats and other nutrients normally.
That can contribute to greasy stools, weight loss and nutritional problems.
This is one reason a combination of digestive changes and unintended weight loss can deserve attention.
But pancreatic insufficiency can have other causes too.
Chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic surgery and several other conditions can interfere with enzyme production.
Cancer is only one possibility.
Why Jaundice Deserves Particular Attention
Among the symptoms discussed here, jaundice deserves special emphasis because it can sometimes appear while a pancreatic tumor is still relatively small.
The American Cancer Society explains that tumors in the head of the pancreas are close to the common bile duct, so they can block bile flow and cause jaundice earlier than tumors in the body or tail of the pancreas.
That means a person who develops yellow eyes or skin may be noticing a problem that is more immediately visible than many other pancreatic-cancer symptoms.
But jaundice still has many possible causes.
It should therefore be evaluated rather than interpreted automatically as cancer.
Why Self-Diagnosis Is Dangerous
Medical symptom lists are useful for awareness.
They are poor substitutes for diagnosis.
A person can match six symptoms on an online list and have a completely different illness.
Another person may have very few symptoms and still have serious disease.
Online checklists cannot assess severity, timing, risk factors, physical findings or test results.
That is why symptom awareness should lead to appropriate care, not panic.
A Better Way to Think About Warning Signs
Rather than asking:
“Do I have pancreatic cancer?”
ask:
“Is this symptom new?”
“Is it persistent?”
“Is it getting worse?”
“Is there more than one unexplained change?”
“Do I have relevant risk factors?”
“Should I discuss this with a healthcare professional?”
That framework is much more useful.
When to Make a Medical Appointment
It is reasonable to schedule an appointment for symptoms such as persistent abdominal or back pain, unexplained weight loss, ongoing loss of appetite, persistent nausea, new digestive changes, new or difficult-to-control diabetes, or unexplained fatigue.
Jaundice also warrants medical assessment.
The NCI advises people to contact a doctor for concerning symptoms, emphasizing that many symptoms can have less serious causes but still deserve evaluation.
The earlier an unexplained persistent change is investigated, the sooner the actual cause can be identified.
That is useful whether the cause turns out to be cancer or something much more common.
When Emergency Care Is Needed
Some symptoms associated with pancreatic cancer can overlap with medical emergencies.
A person with sudden shortness of breath or chest pain may be experiencing a pulmonary embolism.
A person with sudden severe abdominal pain may have pancreatitis, perforation or another emergency.
A person with fainting, severe weakness, confusion or significant bleeding requires urgent assessment.
Do not wait for a routine appointment when symptoms are severe or rapidly worsening.
There Is No Single “Pancreatic Cancer Look”
People sometimes expect cancer to produce a distinctive appearance.
It usually does not.
Someone with pancreatic cancer may initially look perfectly well.
Symptoms may be subtle.
A person may simply feel more tired.
They may eat less.
They may lose a few pounds.
They may notice digestive changes.
This is another reason symptom patterns and changes over time matter more than appearance.
Why Awareness Matters Without Creating Fear
Awareness campaigns sometimes use phrases such as:
“Never ignore these symptoms.”
That wording can be useful when it encourages people not to dismiss important changes.
But it can also be frightening when readers interpret every symptom as cancer.
The better message is:
Do not ignore persistent unexplained changes—but do not assume they are cancer either.
That balance is important.
Medical care exists precisely because symptoms require evaluation.
A symptom is a clue.
It is not a diagnosis.
The 12 Signs at a Glance
The twelve signs discussed here are:
1. Upper-abdominal pain that persists or repeatedly returns.
2. Back pain without a clear explanation, particularly when it accompanies abdominal symptoms.
3. Jaundice, including yellow skin or yellowing of the whites of the eyes.
4. Dark urine, especially when it occurs with other signs of impaired bile flow.
5. Pale, greasy or floating stools, which can reflect problems with bile or pancreatic digestive enzymes.
6. Persistent itching, particularly when associated with jaundice.
7. Unexplained weight loss despite no intentional change in diet or exercise.
8. Loss of appetite or feeling unusually uninterested in food.
9. Persistent fatigue or weakness that is not explained by ordinary exertion or lack of sleep.
10. Nausea or vomiting, especially when recurrent or associated with eating.
11. New-onset diabetes or diabetes becoming unusually difficult to control.
12. Signs of a blood clot, such as unexplained leg pain, swelling, redness or warmth.
These signs are drawn from symptom descriptions provided by the National Cancer Institute, American Cancer Society and Mayo Clinic, but they are not a diagnostic checklist.
The Most Important Pattern Is Change
People's bodies naturally vary.
One person may normally have occasional bloating.
Another may regularly experience mild back discomfort from an old injury.
Someone else may naturally have low appetite.
What deserves attention is a change from your personal baseline.
A symptom that is new, unexplained, persistent, worsening or accompanied by other changes is more meaningful than a symptom that has been stable for years.
That principle applies to cancer and to many other diseases.
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The Good News About Medical Evaluation
Seeking medical care does not mean you are being told you have cancer.
It means you are asking the right question:
“What is causing this?”
Sometimes the answer is simple.
A gallstone.
An ulcer.
A medication side effect.
An infection.
A digestive disorder.
A vitamin deficiency.
Diabetes.
Pancreatitis.
Or another treatable condition.
The purpose of evaluation is to distinguish among those possibilities.
Final Thoughts
Pancreatic cancer can be difficult to detect because it often produces few noticeable symptoms in its early stages. When symptoms do occur, they can resemble many other, more common illnesses.
Possible warning signs include upper-abdominal or back pain, jaundice, dark urine, pale or greasy stools, itching, unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, new-onset or difficult-to-control diabetes, and blood clots.
One symptom alone rarely tells the whole story.
A persistent combination can be more concerning.
For example, unexplained weight loss together with jaundice, dark urine, pale stools and upper-abdominal pain should not simply be blamed on stress or indigestion.
At the same time, these symptoms do not mean that someone necessarily has pancreatic cancer. The American Cancer Society specifically notes that many of these symptoms are more commonly caused by conditions other than pancreatic cancer.
That is why the most useful response is neither panic nor dismissal.
It is evaluation.
A healthcare professional may use the symptom history, physical examination, blood tests and imaging such as ultrasound, CT, MRI or endoscopic ultrasound to determine what is happening.
Routine screening is not recommended for average-risk adults who have no symptoms, although specialized screening may be considered for certain people with strong family histories or inherited genetic risk.
The larger lesson is simple:
Do not diagnose yourself from a headline or a symptom list. But do not ignore persistent, unexplained changes in your body either.
Know the signs.
Know your normal.
Pay attention when something changes.
And when a symptom continues or several unusual symptoms appear together, speak with a qualified healthcare professional.
Awareness is not about expecting the worst.
It is about giving yourself the opportunity to find out what is actually happening—and, when treatment is available, to address a problem as early as possible.