// BEGIN editorial data var i = 0; var PancreaticCancer = new Array(); PancreaticCancer.ID = "PancreaticCancer"; PancreaticCancer.ID_WB = 23489692; PancreaticCancer.sPubDate = "3/6/2008 6:07:08 PM GMT"; PancreaticCancer.navsectionID = "3034575" PancreaticCancer.appFmt = 2; PancreaticCancer.itemsPerPage = 1; PancreaticCancer.appWidth = 460; PancreaticCancer.appHeader = "Q & A | Pancreatic Cancer"; PancreaticCancer.appFooter = "Source: MayoClinic.com; American Cancer Society; National Cancer Institute"; PancreaticCancer.appNavStyle = 3; PancreaticCancer.appLayout = 3; PancreaticCancer.copyHeight = 250; PancreaticCancer.copyWidth = 300; PancreaticCancer.copyMargin = 9; PancreaticCancer[i++] = new Array("","What is pancreatic cancer?","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); PancreaticCancer[i-1].body = "    Pancreatic cancer is one of the most serious types of cancers. It develops when cancerous cells form in the tissues of your pancreas — a large organ that lies horizontally behind the lower part of your stomach. Your pancreas secretes enzymes that aid digestion and hormones that help regulate the metabolism of carbohydrates.

    Pancreatic cancer spreads rapidly and is seldom detected in its early stages, which is a major reason why it's a leading cause of cancer death. Signs and symptoms may not appear until the disease is quite advanced. "; PancreaticCancer[i++] = new Array("","How common is it?","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); PancreaticCancer[i-1].body = "The American Cancer Society predicts that, in 2007, about 37,170 people in the United States will be found to have pancreatic cancer and about 33,370 will die of the disease. The lifetime risk of developing pancreatic cancer is about 1 in 79 for both men and women."; PancreaticCancer[i++] = new Array("","Who's at risk?","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); PancreaticCancer[i-1].body = "We still do not know exactly what causes most cases of pancreatic cancer, but several risk factors have been linked to the disease:

  • Family history. Cancer of the pancreas seems to run in some families. This may account for about 1 in 10 cases. Changes in DNA that increase the risk for certain other cancers also increase the risk of this cancer.
  • Age. The risk of this cancer goes up with age. Almost 90 percent of patients are older than 55. The average age at the time the cancer is found is 72.
  • Gender. Men have this cancer slightly more often than women.
  • Race. African Americans are more likely to have this cancer than whites.
  • Smoking. The risk of getting cancer of the pancreas is 2 to 3 times higher among smokers. About 3 out of 10 cases of pancreatic cancer are thought to be caused by smoking.
  • Diet. There may be a link between pancreatic cancer and high-fat diets that include a lot of red meat and pork, especially processed meat (such as sausage and bacon). Some studies have found that diets high in fruits and vegetables may help reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer. But not all studies have found such links, and the exact role of diet in pancreatic cancer is still under study.
  • Obesity and lack of exercise. Very overweight people are more likely to develop pancreatic cancer, as are those who don't get much exercise.
  • Chronic Pancreatitis. This is a long-term inflammation of the pancreas. It is linked with a slightly higher risk of pancreatic cancer, but most people with this condition do not get pancreatic cancer.
  • Diabetes. Pancreatic cancer is more common in people with this disease.
  • Stomach problems. Having too much stomach acid or having a bacteria called H. pylori in the stomach may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer.
  • Work exposure. Heavy exposure at work to certain substances (pesticides, dyes, and chemicals) may increase the risk of getting cancer of the pancreas. "; PancreaticCancer[i++] = new Array("","What are the symptoms?","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); PancreaticCancer[i-1].body = "Signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer often don't occur until the disease is advanced. When symptoms do appear, they may include:
  • Upper abdominal pain that may radiate to your middle or upper back.
  • Loss of appetite and unintentional weight loss.
  • Yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes (jaundice).
  • Itching.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Digestive problems. "; PancreaticCancer[i++] = new Array("","How is it detected?","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); PancreaticCancer[i-1].body = "    It is hard to find pancreatic cancer early. This is the main reason that people with this cancer often have a poor outlook. By the time a person has symptoms, the cancer is usually large and has spread to other organs. Because the pancreas is deep inside the body, the doctor cannot see or feel tumors during a routine physical exam.
        Right now there are no blood tests or other tests that can easily find this cancer early in people without symptoms. Levels of tumor markers such as CA 19-9 and CEA may be higher than normal in people with pancreatic cancer, but the cancer is usually advanced by the time the levels become high.     Tests for certain genes in people with a strong family history of the disease can help tell if they are at higher risk for cancer. But if the results show that these people may be at higher risk they may not be able to get health insurance, or it may cost more. These tests are not used to screen the general public. "; PancreaticCancer[i++] = new Array("","How is it treated?","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); PancreaticCancer[i-1].body = "There are three main types of treatment for cancer of the pancreas: surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Depending on the stage of the cancer, some or even all of these types of treatment could be combined."; PancreaticCancer[i++] = new Array("","What are the chances for survival?","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); PancreaticCancer[i-1].body = "Overall, about 5 percent of patients with cancer of the exocrine pancreas will be alive five years after the cancer is found. Even for those with local disease (it has not spread to other organs) the five-year relative survival rate is about 20 percent.


    "; PancreaticCancer[i++] = new Array("","Where can I find more information?","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); PancreaticCancer[i-1].body = "American Cancer Society

    National Cancer Institute

    Mayo Clinic

    "; // END editorial data