When it comes to cancers, pancreatic is one of the worst you can get. Even at stage I, victims of this deadly disease only have a 14 percent chance of surviving the next five years. For stage IV patients it’s just 1 percent. If you want to ensure that you and your loved ones don’t fall victim to this unfortunate condition, it’s important to be able to recognize the risk factors, signs, and causes of pancreatic cancer. This will allow you to catch the condition as easily as possible, giving you the highest chances of survival.
Causes of Pancreatic Cancer
There’s no way to tell exactly what causes pancreatic cancer, but there are certain risk factors that can make a person more vulnerable to it. Primarily, inherited genetic mutations can lead to a heightened risk. Other factors that lead to a higher risk of developing the disease include:
- Smoking – This actually doubles the risk of pancreatic cancer.
- Age – Most who develop pancreatic cancer are between the ages of 60 and 80.
- Race – African Americans are more likely to get pancreatic cancer, statistically speaking.
- Gender – Women are more likely than men to develop pancreatic cancer.
- Diabetes – Long-standing, adult-onset diabetes can heighten a person’s risk of pancreatic cancer.
- Obesity and diet – Obesity, as well as diets high in meat, fried foods, and cholesterol, can increase the risk.
If you have any of these risk factors, it’s important to be on the lookout for potential signs and symptoms. The most common ones are upper abdominal pain, jaundice, weight loss, depression, and loss of appetite. Bloating, nausea, diarrhea, pale stools, general malaise, and high blood sugar can also be indications of pancreatic cancer.
Get Checked
Do you have any of these risk factors of pancreatic cancer? If so, schedule a consultation with Oncology SA today. Our expert physicians can evaluate your health and recommend the appropriate treatment.