When to visit a doctor?

1) Abdominal Pain
2) Jaundice
3) Diabetes (recent onset)
4) Weight loss
5) Poor digestion

Indications

1) Pancreatic Cancer
2) Chronic Pancreatitis
3) Pancreatic cyst
4) Acute necrotizing pancreatitis

Brief about Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is a threat to public health, causing about one-fourth of a million deaths annually world over. In fact, it is the 13th most common cancer in the world and 11th in India. The condition develops due to an uncharacteristic growth in cell count in the pancreas, a glandular organ that aids metabolism and controls sugar levels. The unwarranted cells form malignant tumours invade other body parts via the bloodstream, leading to organ failures and death. The condition is classified on basis of the site of a tumour, which can be either exocrine or endocrine. Exocrine tumours originate within the pancreatic region where digestive substances are generated while exocrine tumours are formed in the area responsible for hormone production.

Signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancers

Pancreatic cancer does not reveal any aggressive symptoms until it reaches criticality. The symptoms are vague and often coincide with general disorders. However, getting screened for pancreatic cancer becomes imperative if the following symptoms crop up unannounced and persist over a period. Remember, early presentations can save a life.

• A constant pain in the belly area and the back, which worsens when you lie down.
• A drastic and unexplained weight loss.
• Uneven bowel movements.
• Fever off and on.
• loss of appetite and indigestion.
• Skin losing its texture and moisture
• nausea and vomiting
• Jaundice.
• Pale-coloured faeces.
• high blood sugar levels.

Risk Factors

Medical science may be close to finding the exact cause for pancreatic cancer but the final pieces of the puzzle are yet to be found. However, it has identified several factors that collectively or individually expose a person to the condition. Take a look at some of the risk factors below.

1. Smoking: Smoking is a prominent cause for exocrine pancreatic cancers, elevating the chances by 20 to 30 per cent.
2. Genetics: People with a family history of pancreatic cancer are 5 to 10 per cent more vulnerable.
3. Obesity and sedentary lifestyle: Scientific studies have uncovered that individuals with a body mass index upwards of 30 run the risk of pancreatic malignancies.
4. Diabetes: : It’s not necessary that a diabetic will develop malignancies of the pancreas but the likelihood is always there.
5. Miscellaneous: People with a high-fat diet, the presence of pancreatic cysts in conjunction with chronic pancreatitis and low Lycopene and selenium are candidates of this condition.

Stages of Pancreatic Cancer

Like every other malignancy, pancreatic cancers advance in five well-defined stages.

• Stage 1: When a tumour is achieving localized growth of about 2cm to 4cm and does not contaminate surrounding parts.
• Stage 2: When a tumour now measures over 4cm and is either restricted within the pancreas or has spread to surrounding sites. However, distant parts are off limit as yet.
• Stage 3: When a tumour invades the major blood vessels around the pancreas while distant sites are still safe.
• Stage 4: Finally, the tumour spreads to all nearby and distant body parts.

Points to keep Pancreas healthy:

1) Avoid smoking
2) Avoid Alcohol
3) Daily exercise

Queries :

1) Pancreatic cancer means end of life ?

Pancreatic cancer can be managed with Surgery and chemotherapy if detected early

2) I don’t smoke or drink, Can I get Pancreatic Cancer ?

Yes. Although smoking and drinking are risk factors for pancreatic cancer but environment and genetic play a bigger role.