Be kind to your pancreas

Do you know your pancreas?

The pancreas is a small, pear-shaped gland in the abdomen, lying behind the stomach and in front of the spine. It has two very important functions: Digestion and blood sugar regulation (through insulin and other hormone production).

Pancreatic cancer — one of the deadliest — begins when abnormal cells within the pancreas grow out of control and form a tumor. Its five-year survival rate is only 3 to 14 percent, depending upon the stage.

With a relative fighting pancreatic cancer, we learned how serious it can be quickly, and how hard to diagnose. That’s the frustrating part; if caught early enough, the disease is treatable.

November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.

SYMPTOMS:

Diagnosing pancreatic cancer is often delayed because the symptoms are vague and too easily misunderstood. They include abdominal or mid-back pain, loss of appetite, jaundice, weight loss, nausea, change in stool, or recent onset diabetes.

RISK FACTORS:

The exact causes are not yet known, but researchers have identified certain risk factors which may increase the likelihood of developing pancreatic cancer:

Family History. Risk increases if multiple first-degree relatives had the disease, or any were diagnosed under 50.

Diet. A diet high in red and processed meats may increase risk. A diet high in fruits and vegetable may decrease risk.

Weight. Obese people have a 20 percent increased risk of developing the disease compared to people of a normal weight.

Race. African-Americans and Ashkenazi Jews have a higher incidence of pancreatic cancer.

Smoking. Smoking may cause about 20-30 percent of all exocrine pancreatic cancer cases.

Gender and age. Slightly more men are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer than women. The chance of developing it increases with age.

Diabetes. Longstanding (more than five years) diabetes increases risk.

Pancreatitis. Chronic pancreatitis increases risk. Risk is even higher for people with hereditary pancreatitis.

As our relative has described it, living with this disease is somewhere between uncomfortable and miserable. Is it preventable? Not entirely, but in addition to the usual cancer prevention measure of exercise, healthy weight, and refraining from smoking and alcohol, researchers and the American Cancer Society advise a diet with an emphasis on plant foods. Specifically, they recommend at least 2.5 cups of vegetables and fruits daily; choosing whole-grain breads, pastas, and cereals instead of refined grains; and fish, poultry, or beans instead of processed meat and red meat.

For more information see Pancan.org and Cancer.org.

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Sholeh Patrick is a columnist with the Hagadone News Network. Contact her at Sholeh@cdapress.com.