| The American Cancer Society predicts that, in 2007, | | | | * Very overweight people are 20% more likely to |
| about 37,170 people in the United States will be | | | | develop pancreatic cancer. |
| found to have pancreatic cancer and about 33,370 | | | | * Pancreatic cancer is more common in people with |
| will die of the disease. Pancreatic is one of the | | | | diabetes. |
| deadliest of all cancers with one of the lowest | | | | * Some chemicals such as certain bug sprays, dyes, |
| survival rates. According to the American Cancer | | | | or gasoline products may raise the risk of this cancer. |
| Society, only about 5% of pancreatic cancer patients | | | | * Cancer of the pancreas seems to run in some |
| will be alive 5 years after the cancer is found. Even | | | | families. It seems to account for about 1 in 10 cases. |
| for those with local disease (it has not spread to | | | | Some of the symptoms of pancreatic cancer, |
| other organs), the 5-year relative survival rate is only | | | | according to the American Cancer Society are: |
| 16%. | | | | * Pain in the belly area (abdomen) or in the middle of |
| Many people don't know what pancreatic cancer is | | | | the back is a very common sign of advanced |
| because they are not familiar with the pancreas. The | | | | pancreatic cancer. Again, such pain is often caused by |
| pancreas is a gland found behind the stomach. It is | | | | something other than cancer. |
| shaped a little bit like a fish. It is about 6 inches long | | | | * Losing weight (without trying) over a number of |
| and less than 2 inches wide. It extends across the | | | | months is very common in patients with this cancer. |
| abdomen. The pancreas serves two functions. It | | | | They may also feel very tired and have a loss of |
| breaks down the fats and proteins in the food we | | | | appetite. |
| eat so the body can use them. The pancreas also | | | | * If the cancer blocks the release of the pancreatic |
| makes hormones to help balance the amount of | | | | juice into the intestine, problems such as trouble |
| sugar in the blood. | | | | breaking down fat can result. Stools might be pale, |
| While pancreatic cancer can strike anyone, the | | | | bulky, greasy, and float in the toilet. Other problems |
| American Cancer Society has identified several risk | | | | may include nausea, vomiting, and pain that tends to |
| factors for pancreatic cancer: | | | | be worse after eating. |
| * Almost percent of pancreatic cancer patients are | | | | * The doctor may find that the gallbladder is |
| older than 55. | | | | enlarged. |
| * Men have this cancer more often than women. | | | | Many patients are treated with surgery, |
| * African Americans are more likely to have this | | | | chemotherapy and radiation therapy to prolong their |
| cancer than are whites. | | | | life. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms, |
| * The risk of this cancer is higher among smokers. | | | | you should contact a doctor for testing. Early |
| * There may be a link with eating a lot of red meat | | | | diagnosis and treatment can help increase your |
| and pork, especially processed meat (such as | | | | chance of surviving pancreatic cancer. |
| sausage and bacon). | | | | |