Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info

Four warning signs in the leg could indicate a deadly illness which kills nearly 10,000 Brits each year. The "first clue" to pancreatic cancer could appear in the limbs.

Health experts say that pancreatic cancer - the fifth biggest cause of cancer deaths in the UK - can lead to a condition known as deep vein thrombosis, or DVT. As reported by Express.co.uk, this occurs when a blood clot develops in a large vein, typically in the leg.

The American Cancer Society said: "Sometimes, the first clue that someone has pancreatic cancer is a blood clot in a large vein, often in the leg. This is called a deep vein thrombosis or DVT."

The organisation highlighted four signs of DVT as pain, swelling, redness, and warmth in the affected limb. Sometimes, a piece of the clot can "break off and travel to the lungs, which might make it hard to breathe or cause chest pain".

When a blood clot travels to the lungs, it becomes a pulmonary embolism - a medical emergency that needs immediate treatment. Experts from Pancreatic Cancer UK have explained that those with pancreatic cancer have a "higher risk of a blood clot forming in a vein".

They added: "There is a higher risk of getting a blood clot if you have cancer. If you have pancreatic cancer the risk is even higher, and people with advanced (metastatic) pancreatic cancer are more at risk."

Numerous factors play a role in this heightened risk. The cancer itself, treatments such as certain chemotherapy medications or surgical procedures to remove the tumour, and decreased mobility following surgery or treatment can all heighten the likelihood of blood clots.

Nevertheless, cancer is not the only risk factor for blood clots. Your risk may also rise if you:

Have an inherited condition that makes blood clots more likely, such as Factor V Leiden Use hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or a contraceptive pill that contains oestrogen Have varicose veins (swollen veins) Have had a blood clot before, or a close relative has Are over 60 Are obese, or you smoke Symptoms of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer can develop anywhere throughout the pancreas, a gland situated in the upper region of your stomach. It assists with digestion and generates hormones such as insulin.

The symptoms you encounter will vary depending on several factors including where the cancer is located within the pancreas, its dimensions, whether it has metastasised, and your general wellbeing. The NHS warns that pancreatic cancer may not cause any symptoms, or they could be challenging to spot.

Symptoms of pancreatic cancer can include:

The whites of your eyes or your skin turning yellow (jaundice). 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

If you notice any unexplained symptoms, it's crucial to consult your GP. According to statistics from Cancer Research UK, pancreatic cancer claims the lives of 9,600 people in the UK annually.