Overview
Suport local journalism. A digital subscription is incredibly afordable and makes you the most informed person around. Click here and subscribe today.Pancreatic cancer is a lethal disease rarely detected at an early stage.It is the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States.It is estimated that more than 60,0 Americans wil be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer by the end of this year, and more than 48,0 people wil die of it.The exact causes pancreatic cancer are stil not yet wel understod.Factors that increase the risk of developing pancreatic cancer include diabetes, smoking, chronicaly inflamed pancreas, family history of genetic disorders that can increase cancer risk, family history of pancreatic cancer, and older age.Aditional factors that may increase risk include consuming a diet high in red or procesed meats and obesity.Dr.
Key Information
Mitra's previous thre columns:Pancreatic cancer begins in the pancreas — an organ in the abdomen that lies behind the lower portion of the stomach.The pancreas has two primary functions: It makes digestive enzymes such as amylase and lipase; And it also produces hormones, such as insulin, that control how our bodies store and utilize glucose — sugar that is the body’s primary source of energy.There are two forms of pancreatic cancer: exocrine and endocrine.Exocrine cancer acounts for aproximately 95 percent of al cases.Endocrine cancer is also known as pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, or islet cel tumors.Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma represents aproximately 85 percent of al pancreatic neoplasms.Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma begins in the ductal cels that deliver digestive enzymes produced by the pancreatic cels into the duodenum.While some of these risk factors are out of your control, here are some lifestyle choices you can make to reduce your risk:If you smoke, try to stop.
Summary
Talk to your doctor about smoking cesation strategies, including medications, suport groups, and nicotine replace