Because of its lack of symptoms, pancreatic cancer often goes undetected until it is too late to be successfully treated. Since there are so few warning signs, it is important to be aware which groups of people are more susceptible to this disease so that their health can be monitored more closely.
Cigarette smoking is perhaps the biggest risk factor for developing cancer of the pancreas. Those who smoke are nearly three times more likely to develop this type of cancer than those who do not smoke. Both race and sex may also play a role in pancreatic cancer. It appears that black people are more likely to develop this form of cancer than those of other races. Of those who do develop this condition, men are more prone to it than women.
Like some other forms of cancer, diet can also play a role in pancreatic cancer. Those who eat a high-fat diet that is low in fruits and vegetables are more likely to develop cancer than those who eat a healthy diet. People who are overweight or have diabetes may also have a higher chance of developing this type of cancer.
Because of its almost hidden location in the body it is hard to diagnose cancer of the pancreas. The pancreas is located behind the stomach and buried in a loop of the small intestines. This means that it cannot easily be manipulated during a physical examination so small tumors often go undetected. In fact, cancer of the pancreas is usually not diagnosed until a tumor is quite large or the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Symptoms of pancreatic cancer can include unexplained weight loss, abdominal pain, nausea, and pain in the upper abdomen. Since the pancreas secretes enzymes that aid in the digestive process, a patient may also experience problems with digestion. They may also suffer with jaundice, a condition where the skin and whites of the eyes become yellowed as a result of improper function of the bile and bile ducts as a result of the cancer.
Although its prognosis is improving, pancreatic cancer is, for the most part, considered incurable. This is because this type of cancer is generally not discovered until it is in the late stages where it has already spread to other organs. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation may prolong life expectancy but it is not common for these procedures to clear the cancer completely.
For those diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas, the outlook is not favorable. This disease is generally not discovered until it has already progressed to a point it involves other body organs. There are also usually no symptoms while the cancer is in the early stages, and no tests have been developed as of yet that successfully predict its formation.
Therefore, if you notice anything unusual in your body, or the way your body works, it is important to see your doctor for an examination. Getting a head start on cancer is the best way to prevent and possibly cure it.
Latest Health Articles
Stress - Driving Them Away
By: Paul Hata | 21/08/2008
Chances are you will not be able to reduce your stress level overnight. Many of us have become quite used to stress on the road. However, by trying to make our trips as pleasant as possible, we can go a long way to lessening driving-induced stress.
Stress - Bring An End To The Meal-Time Rush
By: Paul Hata | 21/08/2008
Even if you don't have children, meal time can be major stress time. Your mate might become irritable while awaiting dinner, and you might be grumpy as well. Hunger can be a powerful motivator, but it can also be the cause of major stress. Sometimes, you might find it difficult to concentrate as your stomach is growling.
Mind Over Matter At Vital Times
By: Catherine Harvey | 21/08/2008
A look at one mans survival with the power of the mind after a catastrophic personal injury.
Stress - Are Your Kids Stressing You Out
By: Paul Hata | 21/08/2008
While you can guide your child, you cannot expect to control him or her, particularly when your child reaches the teenage years. Therefore, you have to learn to somehow manage the stress of parenthood before it gets the better of you.
At Home DNA Testing is Here
By: Jason Kay | 21/08/2008
You can't watch a crime drama on TV, or the news (think Anna Nicole Smith) for very long nowadays without hearing about DNA. DNA testing can tell who fathered a child. It can rescue an innocent inmate from prison, or prove the case against a criminal. DNA testing can give...
Fighting Cancer From Within
By: Catherine Harvey | 21/08/2008
A look at the research that is being carried out into the treatment of cancer and how new findings hope to secure a way of using the bodies own defence system to beat the killer disease.
The Health Benefits of Vitamin C
By: Paul Hata | 21/08/2008
The C vitamin is also an antioxidant for the body and helps other vitamins and minerals to be absorbed better. Folic acid and iron, for example, need the C vitamin to maximise their usefulness. The more C vitamin that the body has, the better its defence against colds and other common ailments.
Massage Therapy - History and Development
By: Paul Hata | 21/08/2008
During 500 BC-50 AD, the Greek and Romans used massage on Olympic athletes and to relieve neuralgia and epileptic seizures. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, incorporated massage in medicine. In 130 AD-201 AD, Galen, a Greek physician from the school of gladiators who were rubbed before fighting wrote a book on manual medicine.
More from M. Jedediah
For Your Health: Self Employed Health Insurance
By: M. Jedediah | 25/06/2007 | Finance
One of the major hassles of being self employed is the need to find an affordable health insurance plan that doesn't break the bank as you're trying to keep your own business running successfully. With all the articles and news casts about the ever rising costs of health care,...
The Benefits Of Choosing Silestone Countertops
By: M. Jedediah | 23/06/2007 | Home Improvement
Choosing countertops for the kitchen can be an overwhelming and often confusing experience; not much can impact the tone of the kitchen like kitchen countertops - simply by the sheer size of the area that they cover. So for those looking to set a particular ambience in the kitchen and...
Steps To Ensure Safe Laser Eye Surgery
By: M. Jedediah | 23/06/2007 | Health
In the modern world, laser eye surgery is one of most widely performed procedures every year. Since it was first performed in the United States in 1991, more and more people looking to rid themselves of expensive and inconvenient eyeglasses and contact lenses, have turned to corrective eye surgery to...
The Convenience And Affordability Of The Laminate Countertop
By: M. Jedediah | 22/06/2007 | Home Improvement
Nothing does more to transform a kitchen than the installation of the appropriate kitchen countertop. From granite to stone, kitchen countertops can set the tone of the entire room and the overall house as well.
The material you choose should be in line with your personal style, functional needs, and...
Benefits Of Landscape Gardening
By: M. Jedediah | 21/06/2007 | Gardening
Landscape gardening involves a little bit more than adding flowers to a bed. To create a full design, an entire yard needs to be addressed in the design. From the front walk to the side yard, landscape gardening takes it all in, looking at the big picture rather than just...
Early Detection Yields High Survival Rate For Colon Cancer Patients
By: M. Jedediah | 20/06/2007 | Health
Thanks to highly reliable tests as well as more frequent testing, colon cancer has become known as one of the least deadly cancers. If caught in its earliest stages, this type of cancer can be completely eradicated from the body. In order for it to be detected, however, patients must...
Affordable Renovation With Countertop Resurfacing
By: M. Jedediah | 17/06/2007 | Home Improvement
Let's face it; remodeling a kitchen can be an expensive prospect. From appliances and paint to floors and countertops, transforming a kitchen completely can require quite a bit of money and time. For most of us, tackling the entire project at once is simply cost-prohibitive. But there are ways to...
Choices For Self Employed Health Insurance
By: M. Jedediah | 15/06/2007 | Finance
Going into business on your own can be a very scary proposition. Worry seems to crop up at every turn. From finances to ensuring enough work to actually stay busy, concerns people didn't even think could become concerns will! There's at least a little comfort to be had on the...
Health 
