Early Diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer

Early Diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer
A majority of pancreatic cancer cases are diagnosed only in stage IV. At this
stage, the disease has most likely spread to other organs in the body and
the prognosis is likely to be bad. It is, therefore, important to educate
oneself about pancreatic cancer as well as your family history of this
disease. This can help to save your near and dear.
Late Detection of Pancreatic Cancer
In most cases, lack of any symptoms may be the reason why pancreatic
cancer is detected in its advanced stages in an individual. Many patients
with pancreatic cancer fail to notice anything wrong with their bodies until
the disease has affected other parts of their body. Sometimes symptoms
such as bloating and other issues of the stomach that occur due to
pancreatic cancer are attributed to less serious issues. Some of the very
serious warnings of pancreatic cancer include jaundice, dark-colored urine,
unexplained and sudden weight loss, etc.
Pancreatic Cancer – Risk Assessment
Whereas those at average risk for pancreatic cancer are not recommended
to subject themselves to standard screening procedures, those at high risk
are recommended for the same. The risk factors that stand to increase your
chances of contracting pancreatic cancer include the following.
#1: Age
Age is a major risk factor for pancreatic cancer. A majority of pancreatic
cancer patients are older than 45 and about two-thirds are over 65. The
average age when this type of cancer is diagnosed is 70 years.
#2: Sex
It has been observed that males are more likely to develop pancreatic
cancer than when compared to females. This is sometimes attributed to a
higher amount of use of tobacco by men. This raises the risk of pancreatic
cancer.
#3: Family History
Pancreatic cancer, sometimes, seems to be an inherited disease. In other
cases, the gene that causes pancreatic cancer is unknown. It has been
observed that a majority of those who get pancreatic cancer does not seem
to have a family history of the disease.
#4: Diabetes
It is seen that people with diabetes have greater chances of developing
pancreatic cancer. The highest risk is found in those with type 2 diabetes,
though it is not known why. The onset of this type of diabetes starts in
adulthood and when one is obese or overweight. There has been no finding
related to whether those with type 1 diabetes stand a higher risk of
developing pancreatic cancer.
#5: Chronic Pancreatitis
This is caused when the pancreas remains inflamed for a long time. This
also ups the risk factor for pancreatic cancer especially in those who smoke
tobacco. However, most people with pancreatitis are not seen to develop
pancreatic cancer. But these individuals with the inflamed pancreas,
because of a familial factor, remain at high risk for pancreatic cancer.
#6: Genetic Syndromes – Hereditary
Mutations of genes are usually transmitted from the parent to the child.
These mutations roughly cause pancreatic cancers at a rate of about 10
percent. These mutations also hike up the risk for other types of cancers as
well as other health issues.
Other genetic syndromes that can lead to pancreatic cancer are:
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Peutz-Jeghers syndrome
Genetic mutation of P16, PALB2 or Lynch Syndrome displayed in those
(child, parent, sibling) who were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer
You had a genetic mutation of BRCA2 and your sibling, child, or parent was
diagnosed with pancreatic cancer
MPCT Hospital – Best Cancer Hospital in Mumbai
AT MPCT Hospital, Mumbai, we provide facilities for the multidisciplinary
screening of pancreatic cancer for those that require the same. High-risk
pancreatic cancer patients are screened twice a year to check the
development of the disease. Any abnormality detected is immediately
referred to our team of expert oncologists for further investigations and
evaluation.
In case you are looking out for Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis in Mumbai or
have concerns about your pancreatic health, you can get in touch with our
team of oncologists who will help you. Our mission is to help to detect
cancer in its earliest stages possible to improve the prognosis of the
patient.

A majority of pancreatic cancer cases are diagnosed only in stage IV. At this stage, the disease has most likely spread to other organs in the body and the prognosis is likely to be bad. It is, therefore, important to educate oneself about pancreatic cancer as well as your family history of this disease. This can help to save your near and dear.