Getting diagnosed with pancreatic cancer
It can be hard for GPs to decide who may have cancer and who might have a more minor condition. For some symptoms, your doctor may ask you to wait to see if the symptoms get better or respond to treatment, such as antibiotics.
Your GP might arrange for you to have some tests such as a or . This will help them decide if you need to see a specialist.
Your GP normally refers you to a gastroenterologist if you have symptoms that might be due to pancreatic cancer. They specialise in problems with the upper including cancer. The pancreas is part of the upper digestive system.
This is normally an urgent suspected cancer referral, but you may just hear it called an urgent referral. You will see the specialist or have tests as soon as possible. Ask your GP when this is likely to be.
There are guidelines for GPs to help them decide who needs a referral. These vary between the different UK nations. Your GP will use these guidelines as well as their own experience and judgement.
You should have an urgent suspected cancer referral if you are aged 40 or over and have .
Your GP should consider referring you for an urgent CT scan or ultrasound scan if you are aged 60 or over with weight loss and any of the following:
loose poo (diarrhoea)
back pain
tummy (abdominal) pain
feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting)
constipation
newly diagnosed
In Scotland the guidance groups the symptoms of cancer of the pancreas, liver, bile duct and gallbladder together. These are all types of upper .
If your GP thinks that you might have upper gastro intestinal cancer they should:
do an examination of your tummy (abdomen)
arrange for you to have blood tests to check your , liver function, kidney function and blood sugar level
You should have an urgent referral to a specialist if you are aged 40 or over and have without any pain.
You should have an urgent referral to a specialist if you are aged 55 or over with weight loss and one or more of the following:
a change in your normal bowel habit
back pain or tummy (abdominal) pain
feeling or being sick
a new diagnosis of
You should have an urgent referral to a specialist if you are aged 55 or over with abdominal pain and any of the following:
feeling or being sick
weight loss
You should have an urgent referral to a specialist if you have:
a lump in your upper abdomen that your doctor can feel
an abnormal area found on a that could be cancer
In Northern Ireland the guidance groups together the symptoms of:
pancreatic cancer
cancer of the food pipe (oesophagus)
stomach cancer
cancer of the first part of your bowel (duodenum)
liver cancer
bile duct cancer
cancer of the gallbladder
Your GP should refer you urgently for an endoscopy or to see a specialist if you are any age, have indigestion and any of the following:
symptoms such as blood in your poo, or your poo is black or tar-looking due to bleeding in your
difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
losing weight without trying to
being sick and this is not getting better
lack of in the body (iron deficiency anaemia) – this is picked up with a blood test
a lump (mass) in the upper part of your tummy (abdomen)
an abnormal result from a test called a meal
Your GP should refer you urgently for an endoscopy if you are 55 years or older and you have recently developed indigestion that is unexplained.
Your GP should refer you urgently to see a specialist if you have:
difficulty swallowing
unexplained pain in the upper part of your tummy and weight loss. You may or may not have back pain with this
a lump in the upper part of your tummy and you do not have indigestion
Some people with obstructive jaundice will have an urgent ultrasound. Your GP will tell you if this is necessary for you.
Your GP might refer you urgently to see a specialist if you have no sign of indigestion and you:
are being sick, this is not getting better and you are losing weight
have unexplained weight loss or have a lack of iron in your body
Your GP might refer you urgently to see a specialist if you have unexplained indigestion that is getting worse and you are known to have:
abnormal cells (dysplasia)
inflammation and thinning of the stomach lining (atrophic gastritis)
changes to the lining of the food pipe and stomach that looks like the lining of the bowel (intestinal metaplasia)
had peptic ulcer surgery over 20 years ago
Your GP will consider any other symptoms that you have, so do mention these.
Read more about the possible symptoms of pancreatic cancer
Your GP might also take into account whether you have any risk factors that affect your chances of developing pancreatic cancer.
Find out about the risks and causes of pancreatic cancer
Sometimes you might feel that your GP is not concerned enough about your symptoms. If you think they should be more concerned, print this page and the symptoms page. Ask your GP to explain why they don’t think you need a referral.
Contact your GP again if your symptoms don't get better or you notice any new or unusual symptoms.
If your GP has referred you to a specialist, ask them when you should get your appointment. Contact them again if you don’t get one.
Some hospitals have a referral service you could try contacting if you know which hospital you are going to. Explain that you are waiting for an urgent referral appointment.
Go to more information about an urgent referral, what to expect and questions to ask
Your hospital is working towards waiting time targets. For example, a target to find out whether you have cancer or not. And there are targets to start treatment if you are diagnosed with cancer. These are slightly different depending on where you live in the UK.
Last reviewed: 29 Jun 2026
Next review due: 29 Jun 2029
Most people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer after they become unwell and go to A&E. Others start by seeing their GP. Find out what to expect when you see your GP and any tests you might have.
Your GP or specialist might arrange for you to have tests. Find out about the tests you might have to diagnose and stage pancreatic cancer, including blood tests, a biopsy, and scans such as a CT scan or MRI scan.
There are waiting time targets for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in the different UK nations.
An urgent suspected cancer referral includes tests or a referral to a doctor at the hospital. This is to investigate your symptoms and to find out what is causing them.
Pancreatic cancer starts in the pancreas. This is the gland that produces digestive juices and hormones such as insulin. Find out more including treatments, survival and coping with pancreatic cancer.
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