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Flatnews.cf, HEALTH - According to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, in August 2012, pancreatic cancer is the cause of cancer-related deaths number three.
In 2020, pancreatic cancer will be the cause of cancer-related deaths number two.
If detected early, before it spreads, pancreatic cancer can be treated. Nearly 25 percent of patients are detected early, survival rates for more than five years.
Unfortunately, most pancreatic cancer is not known from the start, partly because there is no test for early detection of reliable and partly because pancreatic cancer symptoms are often vague and unspecific.
Increased awareness of the risk factors and the recognition of symptoms, can help detect many cases before they become serious and reverse the current trends we experienced.
Signs and Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer
Early-stage pancreatic cancer may cause no symptoms or only causes vague symptoms that are similar to the symptoms of some other sickness.
However, if you experience one or more of the following symptoms, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network encourages you to talk to your doctor immediately:
- Consistent pain (usually in the abdomen or back)
- Weight loss
- Itchy skin with jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes)
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Light-colored stools or oily
- Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
Risk factors
The exact cause of pancreatic cancer is not well understood. However, according to information from the Chief Medical Field Axtion Pancreatic Cancer Network, Victoria Manax Rutson, MD, the study has identified certain risk factors that can increase the likelihood of someone suffering from pancreatic cancer, namely:
1. Family history.
If you have two or more first-degree relatives who've had pancreatic cancer or a first-degree relatives of pancreatic cancer before age 50, your risk will also increase.
2. Inherited genetic syndromes.
Some gene mutations associated with other cancers also can increase the risk of pancreatic cancer. Example: BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, Lynch syndrome, familial melanoma, hereditary pancreatitis, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, and ataxia telangiectasia.
3. Diabetes.
Pancreatic cancer is more likely to occur in people suffering from type 2 diabetes for more than five years.
4. Pancreatitis.
People with chronic pancreatitis are at greater risk of suffering from pancreatic cancer.
5. Smoking.
Smoking is a significant risk factor and can cause about 20 to 30 percent of all cases of exocrine pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic exocrine pancreas is tasked to make enzymes to help digest food.
6. Race and ethnicity.
African-Americans and Ashkenazi Jews have a higher incidence of pancreatic cancer.
7. Age.
The risk of pancreatic cancer increases with age. Most people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer more than 60 years old.
8. Gender.
The number of men suffering from pancreatic cancer a little more than women are diagnosed with the same disease.
9. diet.
A diet high in red meat and processed foods may increase the risk of cancer pankrea, while a diet high in fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer.
10. Obesity.
Obese people have a 20 percent higher risk of pancreatic cancer than people with normal weight.
