November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month

This year 2024, World Pancreatic Cancer Day will be marked on 21st November 2024.

Necessity for the awareness of Pancreatic Cancer

Being the 14th most prevalent cancer and the 7th leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide, the incidence of pancreatic cancer differs dramatically between nations.

The general awareness of pancreatic cancer is necessary, as the average pancreatic cancer patient gets to know about the disease eating away his life only at the advanced stages.

Importance of Pancreatic cancer awareness month (Purple ribbon)

Because pancreatic cancer receives so little attention, it is regrettable that so few people are aware of its presence, despite the fact that it is the seventh most common cause of cancer-related mortality.

Lifestyle modifications may also help us be happy and healthier.

Risk Factors:

Age (risk increases with age)
Smoking
Family history
Chronic pancreatitis
Diabetes
Obesity

Early Detection:

Regular check-ups

Awareness of symptoms

Consider genetic testing if family history suggests a higher risk.

Symptoms:

Early detection is challenging because symptoms frequently manifest late.
Abdominal pain
Loss of appetite
Unexplained weight loss
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
Changes in bowel habits
Fatigue
Back pain

Diagnosis:

A definitive diagnosis of pancreatic cancer requires a combination of tests, including imaging scans, blood tests, and a biopsy.

Here are some tests that may be used to diagnose pancreatic cancer:

Imaging scans

Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis
Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) and Fine Needle Biopsy.
Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography (PTC)
CA 19-9 Blood Test.
Your doctor will decide which test to be done from above mentioned tests.
Blood tests

A CA 19-9 blood test can indicate if a person has pancreatic cancer.

This is one of screening blood test.

In a healthy person, the normal range for CA 19-9 is 0-37 units per millilitres.

Biopsy

A small sample of cells from the pancreas is collected and checked for cancer.

Treatment Options:

Surgery: Removal of the tumour and surrounding tissue and lymph nodes
Chemotherapy: Using drugs to kill cancer cells
Radiation therapy: Using high-energy rays to kill cancer cells
Targeted therapy: Using drugs to target specific molecules involved in cancer growth
Immunotherapy: Stimulating the body’s immune system to fight cancer

The advice to the people: