Some key information on pancreatic cancer, including symptoms, risk factors, and promising new treatments.

1. Pancreatic Cancer
by the Numbers
What is the pancreas?
A gland in the middle section
of the body that produces fluids to help
digest food. It also produces hormones,
including insulin and glucagon, to help
control blood sugar levels and help the
body store energy from food.
=500 people
45,220
In 2013, an estimated
adults in the
United States will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
About 10% of
pancreatic cancers
are inherited
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates that the risk of developing pancreatic
cancer is increased four to five times for a person with one first-degree relative with
pancreatic cancer. What is a first-degree relative? A parent or sibling.
Most people who
develop pancreatic
cancer are older than
The risk of developing
pancreatic cancer
increases with age
Symptoms
jaundice
general itchiness
loss of appetite
unexplained weight loss
fatigue
pain in upper or middle abdomen & back
new onset diabetes
genetic factors
family history
obesity
vomiting, diarrhea
age (55+)
smoking
The risk of developing
pancreatic cancer
chronic pancreatitis
race
increases with age.
long-standing
diabetes
Reducing Risk
Don’t smoke
20–30% of pancreatic cancer
is caused by smoking
maintain a
healthy weight
exercise regularly
and eat well
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute scientists
and colleagues have discovered that
pancreatic cancer cells’ growth and
spread are fueled by an unusual
metabolic pathway that someday might
be blocked with targeted drugs to
control the cancer.
•
Cancer.net:
http://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/pancreatic-cancer/risk-factors
•
Cancer.org:
http://www.cancer.org/cancer/pancreaticcancer/detailedguide/pancreatic-cancer-prevention
•
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute:
http://www.dana-farber.org/Adult-Care/Treatment-and-Support/Pancreatic-Cancer/About-Pancreatic-Cancer.aspx
http://www.dana-farber.org/Newsroom/News-Releases/Scientists-find-potential-loophole-in-pancreatic-cancer-defenses.aspx
http://www.dana-farber.org/Newsroom/News-Releases/advanced-pancreatic-tumors-depend-on-continued-oncogene-activity.aspx