Pancreatic Cancer

 

Risk Factors

 

Some pancreatic cancer risk factors can be controlled such as diet and smoking and others cannot such as age and family history. The following are risk factors for cancer of the pancreas.

• Age—Likelihood of developing pancreatic cancer increases with age.
• Smoking—According to the National Cancer Institute, smokers are two to three times more likely to develop pancreatic cancer.
• Diabetes
• Gender—Men are more often diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
• Race—African Americans are more likely to develop pancreatic cancer.
• Family History—A family history of pancreatic, colon or ovarian cancers can increase your chances of developing pancreatic cancer.
• Chronic Pancreatitis

 

Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms

 

Many times, pancreatic cancer will not cause any symptoms in its early stages. However, symptoms of pancreatic cancer may include the following.

• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Weakness
• Upper abdomen or upper back pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Yellow skin and eyes and dark urine from jaundice

 

Pancreatic Cancer Treatment

 

Treatment for pancreatic cancer will depend on the stage of the disease. Treatment will not be effective in the late stages of pancreatic cancer. Therefore, early detection is key to which type of treatment(s) will work for the individual. There are three main types of treatment: surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. These treatments may also be combined, depending on the stage of the disease. For late stages of pancreatic cancer, other treatments may be available to control the disease, pain and other problems associated with the disease.

Click here for more information on pancreatic cancer.

Visit the American Cancer Society’s page on pancreatic cancer for more information.

For testing, more information or if you experience the above mentioned symptoms, please call your doctor. To make an appointment with a doctor, contact our Healthcare Coordinators online or call toll-free 1.877.UT.CARES (1.877.882.2737).