Pancreatic cancer

signs and symptoms

Pancreatic cancer rarely is found at its early stages when the chance of curing it is greatest. This is because it often doesn't cause symptoms until after it has spread to other organs.

When this happens, signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer may include:

• Belly pain that spreads to the sides or back.
• Loss of appetite.
• Weight loss.
• Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, called jaundice.
• Light-colored or floating stools.
• Dark-colored urine.
• Itching.
• New diagnosis of diabetes or diabetes that's getting harder to control.
• Pain and swelling in an arm or leg, which might be caused by a blood clot.
• Tiredness or weakness

Risk factors

Factors that might raise the risk of pancreatic cancer include:

• Smoking.
• Type 2 diabetes.
• Chronic inflammation of the pancreas, called pancreatitis.
• Family history of DNA changes that can increase cancer risk. These include changes in the BRCA2 gene, Lynch syndrome and familial atypical multiple mole melanoma (FAMMM) syndrome.
• Family history of pancreatic cancer.
• Obesity.
• Older age. Most people with pancreatic cancer are over 65.
• Drinking a lot of alcohol.

Prevention

• Screening for people with a high risk of pancreatic cancer
• Screening uses tests to look for signs of pancreatic cancer in people who don't have symptoms. It might be an option if you have a very high risk of pancreatic cancer.
• Pancreatic cancer screening might involve imaging tests, such as MRI and ultrasound. These tests are generally repeated every year.
• The goal of screening is to find pancreatic cancer when it's small and most likely to be cured.
• Talk about the benefits and risks of pancreatic cancer screening with your health care team. Together you can decide whether screening is right for you.

Genetic testing for cancer risk

• If you have a family history of pancreatic cancer, discuss it with a health care professional. The health professional can review your family history and help you understand whether genetic testing might be right for you.
• Genetic testing can find DNA changes that run in families and increase the risk of cancer. If you're interested in genetic testing, you might be referred to a genetic counselor or other health care professional trained in genetics.

Ways to lower risk

You might reduce your risk of pancreatic cancer if you:

• Stop smoking. If you smoke, talk to a member of your health care team about ways to help you stop. These might include support groups, medicines and nicotine replacement therapy.
• Maintain a healthy weight. If you are at a healthy weight, work to maintain it. If you need to lose weight, aim for a slow, steady weight loss of 1 to 2 pounds (0.5 to 1 kilogram) a week. To help you lose weight, exercise most days of the week. Slowly increase the amount of exercise you get. 3)Choose a diet rich in vegetables, fruit and whole grains with smaller portions.