Pancreatic Cancer Prevention and the Silent Killer

Many disease found in the world today are what is termed “silent killers”. This definition or term refers to the fact that the disease often goes undetected because there are no visible warning signs. Pancreatic cancer is one of these diseases and is the deadly. The Center for Disease Control and the Mayo Institute report pancreatic cancer as the number one cause of cancer death.

In order to discuss pancreatic cancer prevention it is first necessary to understand what the function of the pancreas is. Located behind the stomach, the pancreas helps the body break down and use carbohydrates. It produces special enzymes that work in conjunction with the digestive system.

Like many cancer prevention techniques, the person needs to know if there is a family history of cancer in any form. Research has proven that many times there are higher risks for those individuals that have a common genetic link or predisposition to acquiring cancer. It does not mean that the person will definitely be diagnosed with cancer; it simply means that there is a higher risk. Individuals without a family history of cancer can develop cancer as well and should also pay attention.

Unfortunately pancreatic cancer prevention is often difficult due to the very nature of discovering the cancer. By the time symptoms manifest, the disease is advanced and surgical removal may no longer be an option. There are certain symptoms that might be present such as: pain in the abdomen from the growth pressing on nerves, jaundice, weight loss that is not intended and even itching. Should these symptoms present themselves, it is very important to contact the physician as soon as possible.

Researchers at the Mayo Institute have identified risk factors that might be clues in the battle for pancreatic cancer prevention. Such risk factors include sex, race, and weight, eating habits, smoking and also the levels and types of chemicals an individual might be exposed to.

Treatment for pancreatic cancer is complicated. Surgery is the only way to remove it yet by the time most people are diagnosed the disease has spread to other areas of the body. Radiation therapy in conjunction with chemotherapy remains one of the most prevalent means for treatment.

There is one new procedure that doctors are very hopeful of. It is a direct beam of radiation aimed directly at the pancreas. This allows other organs of the body to be spared from the radiation particles.

In the event that the cancer is too far advanced for surgical or therapy options, pain control and pain prevention becomes the number one focus. There are many viable pain treatment plans that the doctor can discuss and numerous books on pain control.

Studies are continuously performed in the hopes that pancreatic cancer prevention can one day be a reality.