This month, Buddy Check9 focuses on Pancreatic Cancer.
1 in 56 men in Colorado will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in their lifetime.
1 in 71 women in Colorado will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in their lifetime.
The American Cancer Society estimates 740 new cases of cancer of the pancreas in 2017 and an estimated 580 deaths from the disease.
The pancreas is a gland in the abdomen that lies behind the stomach and in front of the spine, with two main functions: digestion and blood sugar regulation. Pancreatic cancer begins when abnormal cells within the pancreas grow out of control and form a tumor.
The signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer may be vague. It’s not obvious. The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network urges you to see a doctor if you are having one or more of these unexplained symptoms.
- Abdominal or mid-back pain.
- Loss of appetite
- Jaundice
- Weight Loss
- Nausea
- Change in stool
- Recent onset of diabetes
The exact causes of pancreatic cancer are not yet well understood. Research studies have identified certain risk factors that may increase the likelihood that an individual will develop pancreatic cancer.
- Family history if multiple first-degree relatives had the disease, or any were diagnosed under 50.
- Diet high in red and processed meats.
- Obese people have a 20% increased risk
- African-American and Ashkenazi Jews have a higher incidence
- Smoking may cause about 20-30% of all exocrine pancreatic cancer cases.
- Slightly more men are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer than women.
- The chance of developing pancreatic cancer increases with age.
- Long standing (over 5 years) diabetes increases risk.
- Chronic pancreatitis increases risk. Risk is even higher for people with hereditary pancreatitis.
The information for this article was provided by the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and the American Cancer Society.
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network website: https://www.pancan.org/
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network works to provide information and provides supports for fighting Pancreatic Cancer.
Call: 877-573-9971 (Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. PT) Email patientcentral@pancan.org to speak with a knowledgeable and compassionate associate.
American Cancer Society: http://bit.ly/2xIQ3AU
For cancer information and resources, contact the American Cancer Society 24 hours a day at 1-800-227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org. The Society’s mission is to save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the fight for a world without cancer.
Thank you to the Colorado Cancer Coalition for their support of the Buddy Check9 program. The Colorado Cancer Coalition is a statewide collaborative working to eliminate the burden of cancer in Colorado. Our task forces and members work together to improve the life of all Coloradans touched by cancer. To learn more go to http://www.coloradocancercoalition.org. The Colorado Cancer Coalition is a sponsored project of the Trailhead Institute, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the public's health and the environment in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region.
