World Pancreatic Cancer Day - Significance, Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
When is World Pancreatic Cancer and Why do we Celebrate It?
Every year on the third Thursday of November, World Pancreatic Cancer Day is observed. The 17th of November is World Pancreatic Cancer Day this year. It has been nearly ten years since this day was first observed to raise awareness. Pancreatic cancer is one of the most difficult cancers to treat. Pancreatic cancer is among the world's deadliest cancers, with a five-year life expectancy in the single figures.
Every year on the third Thursday of November, World Pancreatic Cancer Day is observed. The 17th of November is World Pancreatic Cancer Day this year. It has been nearly ten years since this day was first observed to raise awareness. Pancreatic cancer is one of the most difficult cancers to treat. Pancreatic cancer is among the world's deadliest cancers, with a five-year life expectancy in the single figures.
What Color of Ribbon used for the Pancreatic Cancer?
The purple ribbon has become the globally recognized symbol of World Pancreatic Cancer Day. On this particular day, people usually wear a purple ribbon to show their support for those fighting pancreatic cancer.
The purple ribbon has become the globally recognized symbol of World Pancreatic Cancer Day. On this particular day, people usually wear a purple ribbon to show their support for those fighting pancreatic cancer.
Significance of World Pancreatic Cancer Day:
According to statistics, pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths. This day encourages people to join hands and work together to combat this disease, which claims millions of lives each year.
Fighting cancer takes a huge toll on your body and mind, not to mention a huge toll on your savings. Cancer patients frequently struggle to pay their medical bills, exacerbating the tragedy. This day serves as a reminder to assist and support our friends who are experiencing difficulties.
According to statistics, pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths. This day encourages people to join hands and work together to combat this disease, which claims millions of lives each year.
Fighting cancer takes a huge toll on your body and mind, not to mention a huge toll on your savings. Cancer patients frequently struggle to pay their medical bills, exacerbating the tragedy. This day serves as a reminder to assist and support our friends who are experiencing difficulties.
What is Pancreatic Cancer?
Pancreatic cancer develops in the tissues of our pancreas, which is an organ in our abdomen located behind the lower part of our stomach. Our pancreas secretes digestive enzymes and hormones that help you manage blood sugar.
Cancerous and noncancerous tumors can develop in the pancreas. The most common type of pancreas cancer starts in the cells that line the ducts that transport digestive enzymes from the pancreas (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma).
Pancreatic cancer is rarely detected early, when it is most treatable. This is due to the fact that it frequently does not manifest symptoms until it has spread to other organs.
Pancreatic cancer develops in the tissues of our pancreas, which is an organ in our abdomen located behind the lower part of our stomach. Our pancreas secretes digestive enzymes and hormones that help you manage blood sugar.
Cancerous and noncancerous tumors can develop in the pancreas. The most common type of pancreas cancer starts in the cells that line the ducts that transport digestive enzymes from the pancreas (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma).
Pancreatic cancer is rarely detected early, when it is most treatable. This is due to the fact that it frequently does not manifest symptoms until it has spread to other organs.
What are the Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer?
Pancreatic cancer symptoms do not usually appear until the disease has progressed. The symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer could include:
Pancreatic cancer symptoms do not usually appear until the disease has progressed. The symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer could include:
- Backache caused by abdominal pain
- Appetite loss or unintentional weight loss
- Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)
- Stools in light colors
- Dark urine
- Skin itch
- Diabetes diagnosis or existing diabetes that is getting more challenging to manage
- Clots in the blood
- Fatigue
What Causes Pancreatic Cancer:
It is unknown what causes pancreatic cancer. Doctors have identified some risk factors for this type of cancer, such as smoking and having certain inherited gene mutations.
Our pancreas is approximately 6 inches long and resembles a pear lying on its side. It secretes hormones, including insulin, to assist our bodies in processing sugar from the foods we eat. It also produces digestive juices to assist our bodies in digesting food and absorbing nutrients.
Pancreatic cancer develops when cells in our pancreas undergo genetic alterations. The DNA of a cell contains instructions that tell it what to do. These genetic changes instruct the cells to proliferate uncontrollably and to live after normal cells would have died. Such accumulating cells can lead to the formation of a tumor. Pancreatic cells may spread to neighboring organs and blood vessels, as well as to distant parts of the body, if left untreated.
Most pancreatic cancers start in the cells that line the pancreatic ducts. Pancreatic adenocarcinoma or pancreatic exocrine cancer is the name given to this type of cancer. Cancer can form less frequently in the pancreas' hormone-producing cells or neuroendocrine cells. Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, islet cell tumors, and pancreatic endocrine cancer are all names for this type of cancer.
It is unknown what causes pancreatic cancer. Doctors have identified some risk factors for this type of cancer, such as smoking and having certain inherited gene mutations.
Our pancreas is approximately 6 inches long and resembles a pear lying on its side. It secretes hormones, including insulin, to assist our bodies in processing sugar from the foods we eat. It also produces digestive juices to assist our bodies in digesting food and absorbing nutrients.
Pancreatic cancer develops when cells in our pancreas undergo genetic alterations. The DNA of a cell contains instructions that tell it what to do. These genetic changes instruct the cells to proliferate uncontrollably and to live after normal cells would have died. Such accumulating cells can lead to the formation of a tumor. Pancreatic cells may spread to neighboring organs and blood vessels, as well as to distant parts of the body, if left untreated.
Most pancreatic cancers start in the cells that line the pancreatic ducts. Pancreatic adenocarcinoma or pancreatic exocrine cancer is the name given to this type of cancer. Cancer can form less frequently in the pancreas' hormone-producing cells or neuroendocrine cells. Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, islet cell tumors, and pancreatic endocrine cancer are all names for this type of cancer.
Risk Factors and Complications of Pancreatic Cancer:
Pancreatic cancer risk factors include:
Pancreatic cancer can lead to serious problems such as:
Weight loss: Weight loss in persons with pancreatic cancer can be caused by a variety of factors. Weight loss may occur as a result of the cancer consuming the body's energy. Cancer treatments may cause nausea and vomiting, or a tumor pressing on your stomach, making it difficult to eat. Alternatively, your body may struggle to process nutrients from food because the pancreas isn't producing enough digestive juices.
Jaundice: Jaundice can be caused by pancreatic cancer that blocks the bile duct of the liver. Yellow skin and eyes, dark urine, and pale stools are all symptoms. Jaundice is usually accompanied by abdominal pain.
Pain: A expanding tumor may press on nerves in our abdomen, resulting in severe discomfort. Pain relievers can make you feel more at ease. Radiation and chemotherapy treatments, for example, may help slow tumor growth and offer some pain relief.
Bowel Obstruction: Pancreatic cancer which spreads to or presses against the first part of the small intestine (duodenum) can obstruct the passage of metabolized food from the stomach into the intestines.
Pancreatic cancer risk factors include:
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Chronic pancreatitis (pancreatitis)
- Pancreatic cancer runs in the family.
- Obesity
- Older age, because the majority of people are diagnosed after the age of 65.
Pancreatic cancer can lead to serious problems such as:
Weight loss: Weight loss in persons with pancreatic cancer can be caused by a variety of factors. Weight loss may occur as a result of the cancer consuming the body's energy. Cancer treatments may cause nausea and vomiting, or a tumor pressing on your stomach, making it difficult to eat. Alternatively, your body may struggle to process nutrients from food because the pancreas isn't producing enough digestive juices.
Jaundice: Jaundice can be caused by pancreatic cancer that blocks the bile duct of the liver. Yellow skin and eyes, dark urine, and pale stools are all symptoms. Jaundice is usually accompanied by abdominal pain.
Pain: A expanding tumor may press on nerves in our abdomen, resulting in severe discomfort. Pain relievers can make you feel more at ease. Radiation and chemotherapy treatments, for example, may help slow tumor growth and offer some pain relief.
Bowel Obstruction: Pancreatic cancer which spreads to or presses against the first part of the small intestine (duodenum) can obstruct the passage of metabolized food from the stomach into the intestines.
How to Prevent Pancreatic Cancer:
A person's risk of pancreatic cancer may be reduced if: If you smoke, try to quit. Consult your doctor about quitting methods such as support groups, medications, and nicotine replacement therapy. Don't start smoking if you don't already.
Maintain your current weight if you are at a healthy weight. If you need to lose weight, aim for a gradual, steady loss of 0.5 to 1 kilogram per week. To lose weight, combine daily exercise with a diet rich in vegetables, fruit, and whole grains in smaller portions.
A diet rich in colorful fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains, may help lower your risk of cancer.
A person's risk of pancreatic cancer may be reduced if: If you smoke, try to quit. Consult your doctor about quitting methods such as support groups, medications, and nicotine replacement therapy. Don't start smoking if you don't already.
Maintain your current weight if you are at a healthy weight. If you need to lose weight, aim for a gradual, steady loss of 0.5 to 1 kilogram per week. To lose weight, combine daily exercise with a diet rich in vegetables, fruit, and whole grains in smaller portions.
A diet rich in colorful fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains, may help lower your risk of cancer.
How to Diagnose Pancreatic Cancer?
If your doctor suspects pancreatic cancer, he or she may have you undergo one or more of the following tests:
Imaging Tests: These tests allow the doctors to see inside our body, including the pancreas. Ultrasound, computerized tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and, occasionally, positron emission tomography (PET) scans are used to diagnose pancreatic cancer.
Ultrasound: An endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) creates images of your pancreas from within your abdomen using an ultrasound device. In order to obtain the images, the device is passed down our oesophagus and into your stomach via a thin, flexible tube (endoscope).
Biopsy: A biopsy is a surgical procedure that involves removing a small sample of tissue to be examined under a microscope. During an EUS, tissue is typically collected by passing special tools through the endoscope. A sample of tissue from the pancreas is obtained less frequently by inserting a needle through our skin and into your pancreas (fine-needle aspiration).
Blood test: Our doctor may perform a blood test to look for specific proteins (tumor markers) that pancreatic cancer cells shed. CA19-9 is one tumor marker test used in pancreatic cancer. It could help researchers understand how cancer responds to treatment. However, the test is not always reliable because some people with pancreatic cancer do not have elevated CA19-9 levels, rendering the test ineffective.
If your doctor suspects pancreatic cancer, he or she may have you undergo one or more of the following tests:
Imaging Tests: These tests allow the doctors to see inside our body, including the pancreas. Ultrasound, computerized tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and, occasionally, positron emission tomography (PET) scans are used to diagnose pancreatic cancer.
Ultrasound: An endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) creates images of your pancreas from within your abdomen using an ultrasound device. In order to obtain the images, the device is passed down our oesophagus and into your stomach via a thin, flexible tube (endoscope).
Biopsy: A biopsy is a surgical procedure that involves removing a small sample of tissue to be examined under a microscope. During an EUS, tissue is typically collected by passing special tools through the endoscope. A sample of tissue from the pancreas is obtained less frequently by inserting a needle through our skin and into your pancreas (fine-needle aspiration).
Blood test: Our doctor may perform a blood test to look for specific proteins (tumor markers) that pancreatic cancer cells shed. CA19-9 is one tumor marker test used in pancreatic cancer. It could help researchers understand how cancer responds to treatment. However, the test is not always reliable because some people with pancreatic cancer do not have elevated CA19-9 levels, rendering the test ineffective.
Pancreatic Cancer Treatment:
Pancreatic cancer treatment is determined by the cancer's stage and location, as well as your overall health and personal preferences. When possible, most people's first goal in pancreatic cancer treatment is to eliminate the cancer. When that isn't an option, the emphasis may shift to improving your quality of life and preventing the cancer from spreading or causing further damage.
Surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or a combination of these may be used as treatment. When pancreatic cancer has progressed to the point where these treatments are unlikely to be beneficial, your doctor will focus on symptom relief (palliative care) to keep you as comfortable as possible for as long as possible.
Pancreatic cancer treatment is determined by the cancer's stage and location, as well as your overall health and personal preferences. When possible, most people's first goal in pancreatic cancer treatment is to eliminate the cancer. When that isn't an option, the emphasis may shift to improving your quality of life and preventing the cancer from spreading or causing further damage.
Surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or a combination of these may be used as treatment. When pancreatic cancer has progressed to the point where these treatments are unlikely to be beneficial, your doctor will focus on symptom relief (palliative care) to keep you as comfortable as possible for as long as possible.
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Clinical trials
World Pancreatic Cancer Day Pancreatic Cancer Day Pancreatic Cancer Pancreatic Significance of World Pancreatic Cancer Day Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer Causes Pancreatic Cancer Risk Factors and Complications of Pancreatic Cancer
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