The pancreas is responsible for secreting enzymes that help in digestion of food. It also produces hormones that regulate the metabolism of sugars. The form of cancer that affects the pancreas is known as pancreatic cancer.
Till date, researchers have not found a particular cause for pancreatic cancer. There are no symptoms in the early stages of pancreatic cancer, and without timely treatment, this disease can spread to other parts of the body. Even in the later stages, the symptoms are nonspecific and can be mistaken for some other disease. Some factors can increase a person’s risk of developing this condition.
Pancreatic cancer is more common in older people, and nearly half the cases are diagnosed in people who are above 75 years of age. People below 40 years of age are less prone to developing this disease.
Risk factors of pancreatic cancer
A risk factor is something that will increase a person’s chances of developing cancer. The risk factors aren’t the actual causes of cancer, but these factors affect the development of the condition.
- Gender
It is seen that men are more likely to develop this condition than women. - Age
According to the National Cancer Institute, people aged 65-74 are most likely to develop this form of cancer. At the same time, people of any age can develop pancreatic cancer. - Smoking
People who smoke at least 3-4 times a day face a higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer. So, it is necessary to quit smoking to prevent the development of this condition. - Obesity and diet
People who have a diet rich in fats are a high risk of developing this disease. According to researchers, both men and women who are overweight face a higher risk of being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Additionally, people who drink alcohol every day or are heavy drinkers are also more likely to face this disease. - Chronic pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is a painful condition caused by inflammation of the pancreas. People who have chronic pancreatitis can eventually develop pancreatic cancer. - Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B affects the liver, and studies have shown that people who have hepatitis B are twice more prone to developing pancreatic cancer than other people. - Chemicals
Exposure to certain chemicals like benzene, petrochemicals, pesticides, and dyes can increase the risk of pancreatic cancer. - Bacteria
A bacterium known as Helicobacter pylori is known to cause inflammation and ulcers in the stomach, and so, it increases the risk of both stomach and pancreatic cancer. - Diabetes
People who have had diabetes for several years face a high risk of developing pancreatic cancer. The sudden development of diabetes in old age could be an early symptom of this form of cancer.
It is essential to know about these risk factors to keep a check on them. If one faces these risk factors, they should go for regular checkups and consult their doctor for guidance about this disease.
