KNOW ABOUT PANCREATIC CANCER- WORLD PANCREATIC CANCER DAY

WORLD PANCREATIC CANCER DAY 2022

KNOW ABOUT PANCREATIC CANCER

By MEDODRIX.COM

The pancreas is an organ in the abdomen and forms a part of the digestive system. It produces insulin and secretes fluid that helps to maintain blood glucose levels and break down food.

Pancreatic cancer usually begins in the tissues of the pancreas. Several types of growths can occur in the pancreas and they may include cancerous and noncancerous tumors. The most common type of pancreatic cancer begins in the cells that line the ducts that carry digestive enzymes out of the pancreas. This condition is called pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

What are the symptoms of pancreatic cancer?

Most people won’t experience any symptoms. Some of the possible symptoms may include:

• Upper abdominal pain may spread to the back.
• Tiredness.
• New or worsening diabetes.
• Loss of appetite.
• Light-colored poop.
• Itchy skin.
• Dark-colored pee.
• Weight loss.
• Jaundice (Yellowish discoloration)
• Blood clots in the body.
• Nausea and vomiting

RISK FACTORS:

• Smoking cigarettes
• Obesity
• Having diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes
• Being exposed to chemicals used by dry cleaners and metal workers.
• Alcohol consumption and Liver damage
• Hereditary chronic pancreatitis
• Being older than 45.
• Male is more prone

 

STAGES:

• Stage 0: Characterized by abnormal cells in the lining of the pancreas.
• Stage 1: The tumor is in the pancreas.
• Stage 2: The tumor spread to nearby tissues, organs or lymph nodes.
• Stage 3: The cancer has spread to major blood vessels near the pancreas.
• Stage 4: The cancer has spread to distant areas in the body, such as the liver, lungs or abdominal cavity.

Treatment options include:

• Surgical removal
• Radiation therapy: Kill the cancer cells.
• Chemotherapy: This method uses drugs that kill cancer cells.
• Immunotherapy: Not much effective for treating pancreatic cancer but about 1% of people with pancreatic cancer and a specific genetic change may benefit from it.

How can I prevent pancreatic cancer?

These tips may help reduce the risk of getting pancreatic cancer:

• Don’t smoke
• Eating healthy and exercising.
• Quit alcohol
• Control your blood sugar levels.