Pancreatic Cancer: Silent and Deadly

Some kinds of cancer are in the news often and inspire walks and 5k races and vigils. Others, like Pancreatic Cancer, are less well-known. But that doesn't mean that the "silent" cancers are not worth learning more about. In fact, it may be just the opposite.

Pancreatic cancer is often referred to as a silent cancer because it does not typically show many symptoms in early stages. Because there is no screening method for early detection, and because diagnosis is usually made when the cancer is in later stages, the mortality rate is higher than some other cancers. Out of an estimated 43,920 new cases expected to occur in 2012, 37,390 deaths will occur. That's an 85% mortality rate.

Compare that to lung cancer which has a mortality rate of approximately 71%, and breast cancer with a rate of approximately 17%. Those cancers are deadly to larger numbers of people - but more people diagnosed with them are treated successfully and become survivors. For pancreatic cancer victims, the prognosis is not as hopeful.

The good news is that there are survivors, and there are preventative measures that you can implement to create a lifestyle that is less likely to lead to pancreatic cancer.

Stop smoking. We say this a lot, but it's for good reason. Smoking is linked to more cancers than any other environmental or personal habit risk factor. Incidence rates of pancreatic cancer is about twice as high for cigarette smokers as it is for nonsmokers.

Maintain a healthy weight. Diabetes and obesity have been linked to pancreatic cancer, as well as a number of other cancers. Eat a healthy, balanced diet and engage in a moderate amount of exercise each week to help lower your risk for cancer.

Know the symptoms. Even though they don't typically show up in early stages, it's always a good idea to know what to look for - especially if you do have some of the risk factors which include a family history of the disease. Here is a list from the Pancreatic Action Network:

Jaundice
Weight loss
Pain
Digestive difficulties
Changes in stools
Blood clots
Diabetes

Know your risk and educate yourself on how to reduce it. And if you or someone you love need support in the Northwest Arkansas region, we are here to help. Contact our social workers at 479-361-5847 Monday - Friday with questions or concerns.

Cancer of the Pancreas

We already shared information this month about the deadliest form of cancer that you may hear a lot about, Lung Cancer. But we're guessing you don't know much about the 4th leading cancer killer in the U.S., Pancreatic Cancer. An estimated 44,030 new cases of pancreatic cancer are expected to be diagnosed in the U.S. this year, resulting in 37,660 deaths. That's a mortality rate of 86%. That number, coupled with the fact that incidence rate has been increasing every year since 1998, certainly make it a cancer worthy of some attention.

As with lung cancer, research has shown a strong connection between pancreatic cancer and tobacco use. In fact, it is the most important risk factor for this kind of cancer, with smokers being twice as likely to be diagnosed than individuals who have no history of smoking. A family history of pancreatic cancer and a personal history of pancreatitis, diabetes, obesity and alcohol consumption also contribute to an increased risk.

Other possible risk factors are currently being studied, including high-fat diets (especially animal fats) and heavy alcohol consumption. As with many forms of cancer, there are also studies being performed looking for a genetic predisposition to the disease.

Unfortunately, cancer of the pancreas does not exhibit many, if any, symptoms. In more advanced stages, the following symptoms are common for this disease:

• Dark urine, pale stools, and yellow skin and eyes (known as jaundice);
• Pain in the upper part of your belly;
• Pain in the middle part of your back that doesn't go away when you shift your position;
• Nausea and vomiting;
• Stools that float in the toilet.

Also, very advanced pancreatic cancer may cause these general symptoms:

• Weakness or exhaustion;
• Loss of appetite or feeling full quickly;
• Unexpected weight loss when not trying.

Get Involved!

On November 20th, the Northwest Arkansas chapter of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCan.org) will be hosting a Purple Light Vigil for Hope to shed some light on the need for increased awareness, prevention practices, and funding for research for this disease. Dana Quinn, the NW Arkansas Community Representative for PanCan joins organizers all over the world who are bringing people together on November 20th to tell their stories and join the fight. Dana recently shared her own story with Celebrate Arkansas Magazine. You can see it here. For more information, and to register for the event, visit the website.

From the PanCan website: "Purple Light Vigil for Hope is a time to honor loved ones fighting pancreatic cancer and for those who have lost the fight. This is a wonderful opportunity for family and friends of those touched by pancreatic cancer to come together to gain both comfort and encouragement."

Do you even know what a pancreas is?

There's an old saying: "What we don't know can't hurt us." But as anyone who has lost someone to cancer can tell you, this is sometimes the furthest from the truth. Sometimes, it's the not knowing that does hurt us most. It's definitely true with cancer of the pancreas, since many of us don't even know what a pancreas is or what it does until it's not working correctly. So, with some information we pulled from the Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Network, we'll fill you in...

The pancreas is a gland, about six inches long, located in the abdomen. It's surrounded by the stomach, small intestine, liver, spleen and gallbladder. The pancreas has two main functions, the exocrine and endocrine functions. Exocrine cells produce enzymes that help with digestion, and the endocrine function involves production of hormones that regulate blood sugar levels.

Cancer of the pancreas is sometimes called a "silent" disease because symptoms are not usually present in early stages. Many patients have advanced disease by the time it becomes noticeable to the patient and their physicians. Individuals may experience different symptoms depending on the location, type and stage of the tumor. Some symptoms that commonly lead to diagnosis include: jaundice, abdominal and/or back pain, unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite. Symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, digestive difficulties and depression may occur at any time.

95% of pancreatic cancers are classified as exocrine tumors because they begin in the exocrine cells. More info on those kinds of tumors is available here. Endocrine tumors may be benign or malignant and tend to be slower growing than exocrine tumors. Less than 5% of all pancreatic tumors are endocrine tumors, affecting the hormone function of the pancreas, but 90% of those tumors are malignant, or cancerous. More info on these kinds of tumors is available here.

Risk Factors:

Smoking - Smoking is a significant risk factor and is the cause of about 25% of all pancreatic cancer cases. People who smoke cigarettes are 2 times more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than people who do not smoke.

Family History - If a person’s mother, father, sibling, or child had pancreatic cancer, then that person’s risk for developing the disease increases by 2-3 times. The risk increases if a greater number of family members are affected. Also, the risk of pancreatic cancer increases if there is a history of familial breast or colon cancer, familial melanoma, or hereditary pancreatitis. Approximately 10% of pancreatic cancer cases are related to a family history of the disease. Individuals who smoke and have a family history of pancreatic cancer are at risk of developing pancreatic cancer up to 10 years earlier than their previously diagnosed family member(s).

Race - African-Americans have a higher incidence of pancreatic cancer compared to individuals of Asian, Hispanic or Caucasian descent. There is also a higher incidence of pancreatic cancer among Ashkenazi Jews, possibly due to a mutation involving the breast cancer (BRCA2) gene that is found in about 1% of individuals of this background.

Gender - Slightly more men are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer than women. This may be linked to higher smoking rates in men. With increasing smoking rates in women, the incidence of pancreatic cancer in women may soon equal that in men.

Diabetes - Pancreatic cancer is 2 times more likely to occur in people who have diabetes than in people who do not have diabetes. In pancreatic cancer patients who have had diabetes for less than five years, it is unclear if the diabetes contributed to the cancer or if the precancerous cells caused the diabetes.

Obesity - For people who are considered clinically obese, there may be a significantly increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer. In those who are overweight, the risk may decrease with increased physical activity. Closely associated with obesity, a diet lacking fruits and vegetables, or higher in carbs, processed meats and animal fats is also considered a risk factor, as is a sedentary lifestyle. Interestingly, obese patients who have an active lifestyle have a lower risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

Know the risks, the symptoms, and what you can do to help prevent this disease, and as always - if you or a loved one are a cancer patient in Northwest Arkansas and need support, don't hesitate to contact us.