We all aspire to be the best versions of ourselves and to have perfect health. We strive to have fulfilling lives, and take care of our physical and mental health while spending time with our loved ones and friends. We work hard to have successful jobs and start our own families. Up until something pops the bubble, that is the dream.
Aside from death, the word “cancer” can be regarded as the most terrible. However, there is hope if we look to modern medical advancements and have access to all our options.
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most dreaded cancers and would prompt us to reflect on any excesses in our lives that may have contributed to it. Once a diagnosis has been made, all we can do is move forward and look for the best solutions available to us.
What is pancreatic cancer?
The pancreas is an organ in your abdomen that is located behind the bottom portion of your stomach. Pancreatic cancer starts in the tissues. Your pancreas generates hormones that help control your blood sugar as well as enzymes that help with digestion.
The pancreas can develop both malignant and non-cancerous tumors, among other growths. The cells that line the ducts that expel digestive enzymes from the pancreas are where the most prevalent type of pancreatic cancer first develops (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma).
Depending on how far advanced the illness is, many treatments are available for pancreatic cancer. Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of these are all possible options.
Symptoms
Rarely is pancreatic cancer found in its earliest stages when it is most treatable. This is because symptoms frequently don’t appear until the disease has spread to other organs.
Signs and symptoms may consist of:
- back pain that originates from the abdomen
- blood clots (most often in the leg)
- itchy skin
- newly discovered diabetes or diabetes that is already present but becomes harder to control
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin and the whites of your eyes)
- fatigue
- appetite loss or unintentional weight loss
- greasy stools or light in color
- urine with a deep or dark brown color
- nausea or vomiting
- depression
Causes
There is no known cause of pancreatic cancer. It is unknown why abnormal cells start to proliferate and form tumors inside the pancreas, which is how pancreatic cancer develops.
Normal cell growth and cell death occur in small quantities. An increase in the generation of abnormal cells is seen in cases of cancer. Over time, these cells replace healthy ones.
There appears to be no known primary cause, although some risk factors may make you more likely to get it.
These consist of:
- Using tobacco – 20%-35% of pancreatic cancer cases may be directly related to cigarette smoking.
- Heavy alcohol use -Three or more alcoholic beverages each day could make you more vulnerable.
- Hereditary and chronic pancreatitis – Heavy drinking over an extended period frequently leads to chronic pancreatitis. Additionally, pancreatitis may run in families.
- Age – Pancreatic cancer is more common in those between the ages of 65 and 74.
- Diabetes – If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, your risk of developing pancreatic cancer may be greater.
- Race – Black people in the US have the highest rates of pancreatic cancer. There is still room for greater research into the underlying causes of racial differences in pancreatic cancer rates, according to experts. Research from 2018 reveals this is caused by a combination of lifestyle, socioeconomic, and genetic variables.
- Family history – Around 10% of those who develop pancreatic cancer have a family history of the disease.
- Infections – Your risk may increase if you have a history of H. pylori infection in your digestive system, although the exact connection to pancreatic cancer hasn’t been fully established. Having Hepatitis B may also add to your risk by 24%.
- Weight – You may be at a higher risk if you are overweight or obese, especially in your early adult years.
- Diet – Although specialists are still trying to determine the precise relationship between dietary components and pancreatic cancer risk, eating a diet high in red and processed meats, fried foods, sweets, or cholesterol may raise your risk.
- Sex – Compared to women, men have a slightly higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer.
- Exposure at work – Up to 12 percent of occurrences of pancreatic cancer may be related to a work environment with specific chemicals, especially those used in metalworking and insecticides.
It’s crucial to remember that survival rates aren’t set in stone and might differ significantly from person to person based on factors including age, general health, and how cancer develops. Thanks to improvements in cancer therapies and pancreatic cancer clinical trials, a person diagnosed today might have a higher chance of surviving.
Despite this, pancreatic cancer is still regarded as being challenging to treat. Consult a healthcare provider as soon as you can if you’re exhibiting symptoms that you believe could be related to pancreatic cancer. This condition responds best to treatment when discovered in its earliest stages.