The pancreas is an essential part of our digestive system that helps our bodies in getting proper energy from food. They are located inside the abdomen behind your stomach and play a big role in digestion. Irregular severe changes in pancreatic cells can result in pancreatic cancer.

WHAT IS PANCREATIC CANCER?

Pancreatic cancer is generally a more vigorous form of cancer than others. Various changes in the pancreas like mutations in the DNA produce abnormal growth of the cells rapidly; resulting in a tumor. If it’s left untreated, the cancer cells may start to spread nearby in other organs as well as in the blood vessels.

There are two types of growth of tumors in the pancreas; exocrine and neuroendocrine tumors. The most common type of pancreatic tumor is a Malignant Exocrine Tumor. 

 

RISK FACTORS BEHIND PANCREATIC CANCER

Some of the major risk factors increasing pancreatic cancer include:

• Age factor 
• Obesity
• Poor diet
• Smoking cigarettes, cigars, or high intake of tobacco.
• Having type-2 diabetes
• Family history with a genetic syndrome
• Chronic Pancreatitis

SYMPTOMS OF PANCREATIC CANCER

Signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer aren’t visible in the early stages. Some of the symptoms may include:

• Abdominal pain 
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Clotting of Blood
• Itchy skin
• Uneven weight loss
• Yellowish skin

STAGES OF PANCREATIC CANCER

Pancreatic Cancer is classified into five different stages. The category depends upon the severity of the tumor in the pancreas. 

Five different stages of pancreatic cancer are:

• Stage 0: Lining of abnormal cells in the pancreas. These cells can become more cancerous and spread to nearby tissues.
• Stage 1: The appearance of a tumor in the pancreas.
• Stage 2: Spread of tumor in the pancreas and nearby tissues/organs 
• Stage 3: Cancer cells get transmitted to major blood vessels near the pancreas
• Stage 4: Pancreatic cancer gets spread to distant areas in the body, including the liver, lungs, or in the abdominal cavity

 

 HOW CAN IT BE PREVENTED?

Prevention of Pancreatic Cancer is very difficult even if it gets out of control. However, by adopting some changes in day-to-day behaviors you can get healthier. 

Following are some primary preventions to reduce the risk of getting Pancreatic Cancer:

• Avoid smoking. 
• Try to maintain a normal weight and stay healthy by eating healthy foods and doing exercise.
• Prevent yourself from getting diabetes. If you have it, you may control your blood sugar levels by avoiding sugary foods and drinks.

A pancreatic cancer diagnosis can be life-changing. Taking precautionary measures earlier and a regular checkup with the consultation of professional doctors every year can prevent you from facing such a serious condition.

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