RISK FACTORS AND SYMPTOMS OF PANCREATIC CANCER

RISK FACTORS OF PANCREATIC CANCER

Risk Factors

When you get a diagnosis of cancer, it’s natural to wonder what may have caused the disease. Doctors can’t always explain why one person gets pancreatic cancer and another doesn’t. However, we do know that people with certain risk factors may be more likely than others to develop cancer of the pancreas. A risk factor is something that may increase the chance of getting a disease.
Studies have found the following risk factors for cancer of the pancreas:

• Smoking: Smoking tobacco is the most important risk factor for pancreatic cancer. People who smoke tobacco are more likely than nonsmokers to develop this disease. Heavy smokers are most at risk.
• Diabetes: People with diabetes are more likely than other people to develop pancreatic cancer.
• Family history: Having a mother, father, sister, or brother with pancreatic cancer increases the risk of developing the disease.
• Inflammation of the pancreas: Pancreatitis is a painful inflammation of the pancreas. Having pancreatitis for a long time may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer.
• Obesity: People who are overweight or obese are slightly more likely than other people to develop pancreatic cancer.

Many other possible risk factors are under active study. For example, researchers are studying whether a diet high in fat (especially animal fat) or heavy drinking of alcoholic beverages may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer. Another area of active research is whether certain genes increase the risk of disease.
Many people who get pancreatic cancer have none of these risk factors, and many people who have known risk factors don’t develop the disease.

Symptoms

Early cancer of the pancreas often doesn’t cause symptoms. When the cancer grows larger, you may notice one or more of these common symptoms:

• Dark urine, pale stools, and yellow skin and eyes from jaundice
• Pain in the upper part of your belly
• Pain in the middle part of your back that doesn’t go away when you shift your position
• Nausea and vomiting
• Stools that float in the toilet

Also, advanced cancer may cause these general symptoms:

• Weakness or feeling very tired
• Loss of appetite or feelings of fullness
• Weight loss for no known reason

These symptoms may be caused by pancreatic cancer or by other health problems. People with these symptoms should tell their doctor so that problems can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.

The above information has been copied and pasted from the National Cancer Institute.  This concludes our information we will share on pancreatic cancer.  Most of us are aware if there is something amiss with our own bodies.  It is like the "check engine" light coming on in our vehicles.  Some will take heed and others will wait until the truck stops.  Take time to know your own body.  Ultimately, it is up to you to take care of you.

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