Pancreas and Mayo Clinic
Pancreatic Cancer: The Facts
Megan R. Smith
HS200, Diseases of the Human Body
Unit 4 Capstone Project: Pancreatic Cancer
Kaplan University
August 23, 2014
You may be asking yourself, “What is pancreatic cancer?” Pancreatic cancer is a disease caused by malignant (cancer) exocrine cells in the head of the pancreas. (National Cancer Institute). The exocrine cells make up about ninety-five percent of all the cells in the pancreas. (American Cancer Society, 2014). Pancreatic cancer is also called exocrine cancer or pancreatic adenocarcinoma. (Mayo Clinic, 1998-2014). Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. (Frazier, Margaret, 2013). By the time symptoms appear it is too late, the cancer is well advanced and surgical removal is not possible. (Mayo Clinic, 1998-2014).
The exact cause of pancreatic cancer is unknown. (PubMed, 2013). Men are thirty percent more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than women. Developing pancreatic cancer is higher after the age of 45, but the average age of diagnosis is about 71. (American Cancer Society, 2014). Some risk factors that will increase the odds of developing pancreatic cancer are smoking (tobacco use doubles the risk), and being obese. Patients who have been diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis are also at risk. (American Cancer Society, 2014). Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. The enzymes in the pancreas breaks down fats, protein and carbohydrates, so a diet high in fat is also a risk factor. (Columbia College Department of Surgery, 2012). Foods high in fact include fried food, most desserts, whole milk dairy products, and fatty cuts of meat. (Columbia College Department of Surgery, 2012). A diet low in fruits and vegetables would also play a part. If the pancreas is not producing insulin, type 2 diabetes can be a risk or a complication of pancreatic cancer. (American Cancer Society, 2014). Those with a family history of pancreatic cancer are
Megan R. Smith
HS200, Diseases of the Human Body
Unit 4 Capstone Project: Pancreatic Cancer
Kaplan University
August 23, 2014
You may be asking yourself, “What is pancreatic cancer?” Pancreatic cancer is a disease caused by malignant (cancer) exocrine cells in the head of the pancreas. (National Cancer Institute). The exocrine cells make up about ninety-five percent of all the cells in the pancreas. (American Cancer Society, 2014). Pancreatic cancer is also called exocrine cancer or pancreatic adenocarcinoma. (Mayo Clinic, 1998-2014). Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. (Frazier, Margaret, 2013). By the time symptoms appear it is too late, the cancer is well advanced and surgical removal is not possible. (Mayo Clinic, 1998-2014).
The exact cause of pancreatic cancer is unknown. (PubMed, 2013). Men are thirty percent more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than women. Developing pancreatic cancer is higher after the age of 45, but the average age of diagnosis is about 71. (American Cancer Society, 2014). Some risk factors that will increase the odds of developing pancreatic cancer are smoking (tobacco use doubles the risk), and being obese. Patients who have been diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis are also at risk. (American Cancer Society, 2014). Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. The enzymes in the pancreas breaks down fats, protein and carbohydrates, so a diet high in fat is also a risk factor. (Columbia College Department of Surgery, 2012). Foods high in fact include fried food, most desserts, whole milk dairy products, and fatty cuts of meat. (Columbia College Department of Surgery, 2012). A diet low in fruits and vegetables would also play a part. If the pancreas is not producing insulin, type 2 diabetes can be a risk or a complication of pancreatic cancer. (American Cancer Society, 2014). Those with a family history of pancreatic cancer are
References: Cancer Research UK. Pancreatic Cancer. 05/2014. Retrieved from: http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/ Columbia College Department of Surgery, 2012 Diseases and Conditions. Pancreatic Cancer. Mayo Clinic, 1998-2014. Retrieved from: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pancreatic-cancer/basics/definition/Con-20028153 Fraser, Margaret