Pancreatic Cancer: Addressing the Need for Awareness

What is the cancer with the lowest survival rate? If you immediately thought of leukemia, lung, or even heart, you’d be mistaken. In reality, pancreatic cancer has the lowest survival rate, at 12% according to cancercenter.com. Even with possessing this low survival rate, there is insufficient awareness of pancreatic cancer. Learn more about this cancer, and potentially help you and your loved ones ("Cancer Survival Rates Are Improving, Researchers Say").

What is Pancreatic Cancer?

First and foremost, what even is pancreatic cancer? Pancreatic cancer is a cancer that starts in the pancreas, which is an organ in your body responsible for producing enzymes to digest food and produces the hormone insulin which is used to maintain blood sugar levels. Cells in the pancreas, located behind the stomach, abnormally grow which forms a tumor. When patients get diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, it is often at a highly advanced stage, which is the reason for such a low survival rate (“What Is Pancreatic Cancer?”).

Causes

There are multiple and serious causes of pancreatic cancer that must be considered. Firstly, the majority of cases of pancreatic cancer are of older age, which means the risk of pancreatic cancer increases with age. For this reason, ending vices early on, such as smoking or a poor diet, can increase your chances of not getting pancreatic cancer. 10% of pancreatic cancers are “familial or hereditary” which means that a small percentage of pancreatic cancers could be genetic (pancan.org). If a family member has pancreatic cancer, you should have genetic testing done to ensure whether or not you have pancreatic cancer. There is also a racial bias in pancreatic cancer. African American and Ashkenazi Jews are more likely to have pancreatic cancer, and should also undergo testing. Also, people with long-standing diabetes have a higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer. 

Symptoms

Some symptoms of pancreatic cancer can include abdominal or back pain due to where the pancreas is located. Also, a loss of appetite or digestive issues could be a sign of pancreatic cancer. Unexplained weight loss, nausea and vomiting, and fatigue may be indicators of pancreatic cancer. In some cases, pancreatic cancer can cause new-onset diabetes, which means if you have new-onset diabetes you should check with your doctor. Also, jaundice, which is the yellowing of skin and eyes, is a common sign of pancreatic cancer. Fatigue, depression, and darkened urine may also be symptoms. Remember, patients with pancreatic cancer may not have all of these symptoms, which is why it is important to check with your doctor (“What Is Pancreatic Cancer?”).

Treatments

Pancreatic cancer is a difficult disease to treat which depends on the stage of the cancer. However, there are options. There is surgery, such as a pancreaticoduodenectomy, also known as a Whipple procedure, which is the removal of cancerous tumors of the head of a pancreas. Patients may also choose chemotherapy, such as palliative chemotherapy which is used to help decrease the symptoms and spread of pancreatic cancer, as it is used to improve the quality of life. There is also neoadjuvant chemotherapy, which is administered before surgery to make tumors more operable, and adjuvant chemotherapy, which is administered after surgery to remove any cancer cells left and prevent the return of the tumor. There is also radiation therapy, such as external beam radiation, which uses high-energy raps to kill cancer cells, and brachytherapy, which is a type of radiation that attempts to get as close to the tumor as possible. There are also other potential treatments such as targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and clinical trials (“What Is Pancreatic Cancer?”).

What can I do to Help?

Join me and millions in the fight against pancreatic cancer by raising awareness and funds for research. Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is an organization that funds research, gives patient/caregiver support, conducts community outreach, and advocates for federal funding for research. Donate, spread awareness through social media, or participate in the local events PanCAN holds. PanCAN PurpleStride is its biggest fundraising event happening across the country. Register to stand with the victims of pancreatic cancer by participating on Saturday, April 27, 2024 (“What Is Pancreatic Cancer?”).

Click here to make a difference and end pancreatic cancer. For more information on pancreatic cancer visit pancan.org.

REFERENCES

1. “Cancer Survival Rates Are Improving, Researchers Say.” City of Hope, 12 Dec. 2023, www.cancercenter.com/community/blog/2023/01/cancer-survival-rates-are-improving#:~:text=Cancers%20with%20the%20lowest%20survival,Liver%20cancer%2C%20at%2021%20percent.

2. “What Is Pancreatic Cancer?” Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 29 Nov. 2023, pancan.org/facing-pancreatic-cancer/about-pancreatic-cancer/what-is-pancreatic-cancer/.