[dandrews]

Not chumming for sympathy here, but I've mentioned before on HN that my own pancreatic cancer first manifested itself as a vague feeling of unease at the sternum, and persistent nighttime acid reflux. No other symptoms. My GP didn't recognize it for what it was, and treated the reflux symptom.

It would sure be spiffy if mining queries could identify early symptoms, working backwards if you will, rather than be used to find cancer patients by working forward from symptoms already identified by the medical establishment.

[yeureka]

I have exactly the same symptoms and a history of pancreatic cancer in my family. Not sure how to try to escalate this further or if that seems ridiculous. What did you do to get further exams?

[dandrews]

I became severely anemic after a few months and the e/r did an MRI, looking for internal bleeding. They found the tumor then.

My GP had x-rayed me, looking for a cardiac anomaly - he suspected an aortic aneurism. What he should've done is order some soft tissue radiology instead. Having your GP consider a CT or MRI is my advice.

Hope in your case it's all for naught. Best to check though.

[yeureka]

I don't think I have anemia so maybe it is just GERD, but I will mention what you said on my next visit.

I really hope you are better.

[richmarr]

Agreed. Perhaps this could be addressed by a personal medical 'agent' that could access condition profiles & statistics on your behalf, rather than having your data mined en masse by a search engine, ISP, etc.