Pancreatic Cancer – What Causes It?

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer death, claiming over 48,500 lives in the United States each year. But what is it, and what causes it? Those are the questions we’ll attempt to answer in this blog article.

What Is Pancreatic Cancer?

Pancreatic cancer is an abnormal growth of cells in the pancreas, a long, thin organ that sits behind the stomach and supplies hormones and enzymes that regulate digestion. In the United States, it is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death, responsible for 7.2 percent of all deaths due to cancer. Pancreatic cancer often does not produce noticeable symptoms until it is advanced and can be very difficult to detect early.

Common Risk Factors

There is no single cause of pancreatic cancer, but there are a number of risk factors that may increase the risk of developing the disease. These include age, sex, ethnicity, family history, smoking, obesity, unhealthy diet, and diabetes, among others.

Age – Individuals aged 65 and older are at greater risk for pancreatic cancer than those younger than 65. The risk increases with age, with people aged 80 and above having the highest risk for developing the disease.

Sex – Men are slightly more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than women.

Ethnicity – Pancreatic cancer occurs more often in African-Americans and Hispanics, in contrast to other cancers.

Family History – Having a first-degree relative (such as a parent or sibling) with pancreatic cancer increases the risk of developing the disease two- to three-fold compared to those without this family history.

Smoking – Smokers are two- to three-times more likely than nonsmokers to develop pancreatic cancer. The risk is highest among heavy smokers.

Obesity – Research has found that being overweight or obese increases the risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

Unhealthy Diet – A diet high in processed meats, red meats, and saturated fats has been linked to increased risk of pancreatic cancer.

Diabetes – Patients with type 2 diabetes have a significantly higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer compared to those without diabetes.

Pancreatitis – Chronic pancreatitis (long-term inflammation of the pancreas) may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer.

Exposure to Certain Chemicals – Exposure to certain chemicals – especially those used in the dry-cleaning industry – may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer.

Treatment Options

Treatment for pancreatic cancer depends on the size and location of the tumor, stage of the disease, patient’s overall health, and the wishes of the patient and doctor. Treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, among others. The goal of treatment is to remove or shrink the cancer and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the body.

In conclusion, pancreatic cancer is a serious and dangerous form of cancer. It is not always easy to detect early, as it often does not produce noticeable symptoms until it is advanced. Knowing the risk factors and causes of pancreatic cancer is important so that individuals can take the necessary steps to reduce their risk. Proper diet, exercise, and avoiding known risk factors can all help reduce the risk of developing pancreatic cancer.