This year, 42,470+ Americans alone will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and 35,240 will die from it. The number of new cases and deaths caused by Pancreatic Cancer is increasing not decreasing. By 2030 the number of cases is projected to increase by 55%.

Pancreatic Cancer is a form of cancer that attacks the Pancreas, this is an organ located in the abdomen closest to the small intestine and is composed of glands responsible for many functions in the body. This organ is separated in two categories, the first is exocrine, and these glands secrete enzymes into the ducts that help in the digestion of food. The second is endocrine glands; these glands secrete hormones, which include insulin. Since the symptoms of this type of cancer are not present until late in the disease diagnosis is often incorrect and can easily be attributed to other less serious conditions. Medical treatment should be sought after if there is unexplained weight loss, jaundice and other medical treatments for misdiagnosed conditions do not change the symptoms.

Pancreatic Cancer often has no symptoms untill later stages of the disease develop. These symptoms include:

• Loss of appetite
• Pain in the abdomen, the back, or both
• Weight loss
• Yellowing of the skin from jaundice
• Depression
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Bloating

There is cancer that forms in the ducts known as adenocrainoma, there are tumors that form that are exocrine tumors. This occurs in the cells that line the ducts of the pancreas and help the body to produce digestive juices.

There is cancer that can form in the pancreas cells that produce hormones and is called endocrine cancer. This form of cancer is extremely rare.

The physician may feel the center of the abdomen for abnormalities, an abdominal ultrasound maybe done and a CT scan. The physician may decide a biopsy is necessary that will be inspected by a pathologist, there are two types of biopsy’s:

• Percutaneous biopsy, this is done by inserting a needle through the skin into the tumor and is done by a radiologist.
• Endoscopic biopsy is preformed by inserting a flexible tube with a camera through the mouth, through the stomach and into the duodenum.

Pancreatic Cancer Risk Factors

Knowing the risk factors can help you take action and get screening before Pancreatic Cancer symptoms develop.

Some of the risk factors that can increase the chance of pancreas cancer are:

• Smoking increases the risk of Pancreatic Cancer by a factor of 3
• Increased risk in exposure to cancer causing agents
• People that are heavy smokers
• Ethnic background can play a part, statistics show more African-American people get Pancreatic Cancer than white people.
• Being overweight, obesity can raise the risk factor of Pancreatic Cancer
• A personal history of genetic syndromes, which can include the BRCA 2 mutated gene, Lynch syndrome and Peutz-Jeghers syndrome.
• Inflammation of the pancreas, usually from excessive alcohol intake or gallstones
• Diabetes mellitus and Adult-onset diabetes can be both a symptom of pancreatic cancer and a risk factor for developing the disease.
  

Family history

5–10% of pancreatic cancer patients have a family history of pancreatic cancer. The risk for developing pancreatic cancer is three times greater if an immediate family member (mother, father, sister, brother) has had the disease. And also a personal family history of chronic inflammation of the pancreas

History

Pancreatic Cancer is the forth most common type of cancer in men and the fifth in women, is uncommon in people under 50 years old and it is three times more common in heavy smokers versus non smokers. People who suffer from chronic pancreatitis are also at a higher risk for cancer of the pancreas. Pancreatic Cancer is also more common in people with this diabetes.

The types of cells that make up pancreatic cancer tumors are unique—which contributes to the unfortunate resistance of the tumors to chemotherapies.

Age

This type of cancer often strikes people in their 70’s and 80’s

Diet

People on high fat and low fiber diets have a greater risk of pancreatic cancer, whereas eating more fruits and vegetables appears to offer some protection.

The System of Cancer Factors addresses the bodily conditions of Pancreatic Cancer. Please take the time right now to learn and understand how the System of Cancer Factors works. How it works.