Pancreatic cancer is a disease of the cells of the pancreas. It develops from an initially normal cell which transforms and multiplies in an anarchic manner, until it forms a mass called a malignant tumor, as explained by the National Cancer Institute. While the incidence of other cancers remains stable, that of pancreatic cancer continues to increase. In fact, it kills more and more. In 2020, it caused the deaths of 466,003 people worldwide.
Dr Pauline Guillouche, gastroenterologist specializing in liver diseases and also known under the pseudonym @pauline.hepato on social networks, discussed the risk factors for pancreatic cancer, and ways to protect yourself from it .
How to detect pancreatic cancer?
Pancreatic cancer is very hard to detect, according to Dr. Guillouche. Indeed, “there are very few warning signs, and when it is detected, it is often at an advanced stage, and the tumor can no longer be operated on”, she declares. Which explains why the survival prognoses are not very good. Among the few symptoms that can appear when suffering from pancreatic cancer, we find, according to the gastroenterologist: a change in general condition with fatigue and unexplained weight loss, pain in the middle of the abdomen which can radiate like a stab in the back, and the appearance of jaundice (jaundice). Knowing that this last symptom,“is a fairly common way of discovering pancreatic cancer”.
Pancreatic cancer: what are the main risk factors?
As Dr. Guillouche explains, several proven risk factors for pancreatic cancer have been identified. This particularly mentions smoking which has “increased in women in recent years and which can potentially be responsible for the increase in cases”, obesity “which is noticeably increasing in France” but also diabetes, which is also on the rise. If genetic predispositions only concern around 5% of cases of pancreatic cancer, they still represent a potential risk of developing cancer, indicates the gastroenterologist. Likewise, people suffering from chronic pancreatitis (prolonged inflammation of the pancreas) are more likely to have pancreatic cancer. As for alcohol consumption, the liver disease specialist specifies that it is a risk factor for pancreatic cancer but also for all cancers. “The increase in cases of pancreatic cancer is due to today’s lifestyles”, indicates Dr. Guillouche. She indicates that “the more we eat a processed diet, the more we expose ourselves to a risk of diabetes and obesity and therefore pancreatic cancer”. It is therefore essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle to limit the risks of pancreatic cancer.
How to prevent pancreatic cancer?
It is possible to limit the number of pancreatic cancers by changing our daily behaviors and lifestyles and reducing our exposure to the main preventable risk factors for cancer, underlines the expert. To do this, it is preferable to opt for a Mediterranean type diet, which consists of eating very few sweets and processed foods, favoring the consumption of fruits and vegetables, fish rich in omega-3 and oils. plants. The gastroenterologist also advises “practice at least 30 minutes of activity per day, especially for sedentary people”. It is also recommended to stop smoking and not drink alcohol to limit the risks.
“There is no organized screening in France for pancreatic cancer. However, when you have one or more cases of pancreatic cancer in your family, it is essential to talk to a doctor. concludes the gastroenterologist.
Thanks to Dr Pauline Guillouche, gastroenterologist and hepatologist.
Additional source:
- Pancreatic cancers: key points – National Cancer Institute