November
is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness month. Pancreatic cancer is considered
the deadliest major cancer with a five year survival rate of only 8%.
To see a decline in death rates for pancreatic cancer, more people
need to know about the disease. And November is a great time to get
started by educating yourself about the symptoms and risk factors
Warning
signs:
Pancreatic
cancer may show only vague, unexplained symptoms. If you experience
one or more of these, contact your provider to discuss the
possibility for developing pancreatic cancer.
- Pain – usually in the abdomen or back
- Loss of appetite
- Jaundice – yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Weight loss
- Nausea
- Change is stool
- Recent onset diabetes
Risk
Factors for developing Pancreatic Cancer
Although
the exact cause is unclear, there are certain risk factors that can
increase your chance of developing the disease.
- Family history – if your Mother, Father, Sibling or Child had pancreatic cancer, then your risk increases 2-3 times
- Diabetes – long term diabetes increases your risk to develop pancreatic cancer
- Pancreatitis (or hereditary pancreatitis) causes an increased risk for pancreatic cancer
- Smoking is a significant risk factor and may be the cause 20-30 % of exocrine pancreatic cancer cases
- African American or Ashkenai Jews have a higher incidence of pancreatic cancer
- Pancreatic cancer risk increases with age; with most cases presenting over than age 60
- There have been more men diagnosed with pancreatic cancer than women
- A diet high in red and processed meats is thought to increase the risk for pancreatic cancer; however a diet high in fruits and vegetables may decrease the risk
- Obesity increases the risk by 20% compared to normal weight people
If
your family presents with risk factors, consider meeting with a
genetic counselor. A genetic counselor will explain how a genetic
mutation may contribute to increased frequency for developing
pancreatic cancer. A genetic counselor can identify a family at
higher risk and help the family interpret information about the
disease. If you would like to meet with a genetic counselor, contact
our office for an appointment.
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