Why is it so hard to detect pancreatic cancer? Most people don't know they have it until its too late.

Because the pancreas is deep in the body, and doctors are
unable to see or feel these tumors in a physical exam, by the time it is detected, it
has spread to other organs. CA19- 9 is a substanced released into the blood by cancer
cells, but, by the time this substance is detected, the cancer is no longer in its
earliest stages. The symptoms of pancreatic cancer may seem like symptoms of other
diseases. In people with high risk of pancreatic cancer, due to genetic factors,
endoscopic ultrasound can be used to try to detect pancreatic cancer at an early stage.
Symptoms may include, jaundice which is a yellowing of the eyes and skin, darkening of
the urine from bilirubin, as the bile duct gets compressed by the tumor in the pancreas,
lighter stools, abdominal or back pain, weight loss, digestive problems, diabetes and
gall bladder enlargement.