Pancreatic cancer is by no means a rare disease or a recent discovery, but it had been a lesser known evil compared to other more well-known cancers like breast cancer and lung cancer, until recently when it claimed the life of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. More people have since been wondering about pancreatic cancer.
What is the Pancreas?
The pancreas is a gland, surrounded by the stomach, small intestine, liver, spleen and gallbladder. It is portrayed by the organ coloured yellow in the above illustration. The pancrease produces enzymes that help with digestion, as well as hormones.
What is Pancreatic Cancer?
Pancreatic cancer is a disease characterised by out-of-control cell growth, which begins in the pancreas. Rather than developing into healthy and normal pancreas tissue, these abnormal cells continue dividing and form lumps of tissue called tumour. Tumours interfere with the main functions of the pancreas. If a tumour stays in one particular spot and demonstrates limited growth, it is generally considered benign and harmless.
It is more dangerous when tumours from the cancer cells spread to other parts of the body through the blood or lymph systems. When a tumour successfully spreads to other parts of the body and grows, they are invading and destroying other healthy tissues. The result is a more serious condition that is very difficult to treat.
Risk Factors
There are no specific reasons as to why people get pancreatic cancer. However, researchers have identified some potential risk factors.
• Higher occurrence in men than in women
• Smoking cigarettes and smokeless tobacco
• Alcohol consumption. Long term, heavy drinking leads to chronic pancreatitis, which is a known risk factor.
• Obesity
• Lack of exercise
• Diet low in vegetables and fruits but high in red meat
Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer
The symptoms are quite varied and dependent on where the cancer is located, where it has spread and how big the tumour is. Pancreatic cancer is a “silent” disease because it rarely shows early symptoms. Tumours of the pancreas cancers are usually too small to cause any symptoms. However, when the cancer grows, symptoms include:
• Pain in the upper abdomen from the tumour pushing against nerves.
• A painless yellowing of the skin and eyes, darkening of the urine called “jaundice” (created when the cancer interferes with the bile duct and the liver).
• Loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting.
• Significant weight loss and weakness.
These symptoms are not exactly unique to pancreatic cancer. Hence, it is difficult to diagnose the disease before it is in an advanced stage. If the cancer spreads, additional symptoms can present themselves in the newly affected area. Symptoms ultimately depend on the location to which the cancer has spread.
Therefore, it is best to go for a body checkup annually. Have a balanced diet, eat more vegetables and fruits, and avoid unhealthy habits like smoking and heavy alcohol assumption that can have negative repercussions on your body!
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