Pancreatic Cancer: Risk factors,Causes and Symptoms

Pancreatic cancer takes place in the tissues of the pancreas which is an important endocrine organ situated behind the stomach. The pancreas plays a very important part in digestion by making enzymes which our body required for digesting fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.

Pancreas also makes two vital hormones known as insulin and glucagon. The hormones are the in-charge in controlling sugar or glucose metabolism.  Insulin assists the cells in metabolizing the glucose for making energy & glucagon assists increase the level of glucose if they are very low.

Because of a location of the pancreas, pancreatic cancer could be tough to identify and is often diagnosed in very advanced stages of this disease.

Causes of a Pancreatic Cancer

The causes of pancreatic cancer are not identified yet. This kind of cancer takes place when the abnormal cells start growing in the pancreas and form some tumor. Usually, healthy cells grow & die in moderate quantities. In case of cancer, a higher quantity of abnormal production of cells which in turn supersede the healthy cells.

Risk Factors Responsible for Pancreatic Cancer

Certain risk factor could well increase the possibilities of growing pancreatic cancer. Someone may be at a high risk if they:

• Smoke cigarettes – 30% cancer cases are linked to cigarette smoking
• Do not regularly exercise
• Are obese
• Eat diets which have high amount of fat
• Eat few vegetables and fruits
• Have diabetes
• Drink a lot of alcohol
• Work along with chemicals and pesticides
• Have a damaged liver
• Have severe inflammation in pancreas
• Have a family history of pancreatic cancer or some genetic disorder linked to this kind of cancer.

Pancreatic Cancer: Symptoms

Pancreatic Cancer usually does not exhibit the symptoms till it approaches an advanced phase of this disease. Some very common symptoms could be subtle and they include:-

• Unintentional loss of weight
• Loss of appetite
• Blood clots
• Abdominal or lower back pain
• Depression
• Jaundice

Pancreatic cancer which spreads could worsen the preexisting symptoms.