Pancreatic Cancer Facts That You May Want To Know

Pancreatic cancer, this type of cancer originates in the pancreas, the organ that lies behind the lower portion of your stomach. Abnormal cells start to grow and divide to form tumors. Over time, the disease may spread to other parts or organs of the body, making it hard to treat.

Knowing all about pancreatic cancer will give you an idea of the signs and risks of the disease. Here are a few facts you probably never knew about this grave illness: 

• Cancer of the pancreas ranks twelfth in the list of ‘Most common cancers across the world’

• Pancreatic cancer is the seventh most common cause of death worldwide

• Pancreatic cancer affects women and men alike

• The more you age, the more you are at risk of developing pancreatic cancer. About 90% of people living with this type of cancer are over 55 years of age. The average age of patients is 72 years when the cancer is detected

• People who are in the habit of smoking regularly for a long period are prone to pancreatic cancer. Studies claim that at least three out of ten such cases are caused by smoking and tobacco use.

• Lack of physical activity and obesity are the most common factors that put you at risk of pancreatic cancer

• Pancreatic cancer signs can be vague, depending on the site of occurrence of the tumor – whether it is present in the tail, body, or head of the pancreas

• Pancreatic cancer symptoms include yellowing of the eyes and skin (like in the case of jaundice), abdominal pain, fatigue, digestive problems, and unexplained weight loss.

• Physical examination, as well as imaging tests like MRI and CT scans, are used to diagnose the ailment

• Among all types of cancer, pancreatic cancer has the lowest rate of survival – only 3-6% of people diagnosed early survive for about five years

• Studies show that keeping your body weight in check and abstaining from alcohol and smoking reduces one’s risk of developing cancer of the pancreas

• Usually, this type of cancer is diagnosed in the later stages with about 80% of the patients having a terminal illness with an average life expectancy of 4-6 months

• Although the rate of survival for other forms of cancer may have improved over the years, the same cannot be said about pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive and fatal form of cancer. It often spreads without revealing symptoms, which makes diagnosis difficult. However, if detected early, there are ways to treat the disease.

Treatment of pancreatic cancer mainly involves chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. Which line of treatment would suit your condition best, depends on your health, the prognosis of the disease, and your doctor’s opinion.