Q: I just heard about Aretha Franklin’s diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and was devastated. What is the pancreas and why is the cancer so deadly?
A: Yes. It can be a
devastating disease. Our prayers
go out to Aretha Franklin and her family.
The pancreas is a small
but essential organ that sits near the center of the mid-abdomen close to the
stomach and gall bladder. It plays
two major roles in the body: 1) it breaks down the food we eat, in concert with
stomach and gall bladder, into vital energy and building blocks for the body
and 2) it is also the place where insulin is made and is defective in people
with Type I diabetes.
Cancer occurs when a cell
develops an error in its DNA, causing it to become aggressive and grow out of
proportion to normal cells. Pancreatic cancer most often affects the special cells that help the
breakdown of food. There are rarer
cases of cancer of the cells that make insulin.
In comparison to other
cancers, pancreatic cancer is not as common. There will be about 43,000 cases in the United States this
year, compared to nearly 200,000 cases of breast or prostate cancer each. The problem with pancreatic cancer is
that it is often diagnosed after the cancer has reached a stage where it is too
late. Only 10-35% of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer
will be alive five years later.
Pancreatic cancer can grow
without signs of the cancer in the body for months to years. The most common symptom is pain in the
upper left side of the abdomen, weight loss and yellowing of the eyes or skin
(called jaundice).
The main risk factors for
pancreatic cancer are smoking (any amount), inactivity, obesity, and a
high-fat, calorie-dense diet. There is debate whether diabetes itself is a risk factor for pancreatic
cancer. Heavy alcohol intake,
which can lead to repeated bouts of pancreas inflammation and pain, is also a
risk factor. There is a familial link
to pancreatic cancer as well.
The rare cure of
pancreatic cancer comes from surgical removal of the entire cancerous
pancreas. However, often surgery
proves insufficient and chemotherapy prior to surgery has been adopted to
improve chances of survival.
Protect yourself by
stopping smoking (or never starting), exercising regularly and adopting a low
fat diet today. If you have a
family member who developed pancreatic cancer, tell your doctor and ask about
next steps for screening.
Master Your Health.
Copyright 2010 Chicago
Defender
Dave
Montgomery, MD, PhD is a Cardiologist at Northwestern University, a sought
after speaker and Health Coach. http://davemontgomerymd.com
