Questions and Answers to Pancreatic Cancer

About
When I was going into sixth grade my great-grandmother died of pancreatic cancer. She was an amazing person who I wish I would have gotten to know more before she passed away. I wanted to know more about pancreatic cancer and if it could affect in the future. I have created this page in order to provide information to others about this disease to those who have been affected by it, or are just interested in this topic. This page is mostly about the physical elements of this cancer rather than the emotional effects that one may bear while having this cancer.

What is Pancreatic Cancer?

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly genetic diseases. According to the Encyclopedia of Cancer and Society, pancreatic cancer is number four on the list for leading causes of cancer deaths in the United States. The reason why this cancer is so lethal is because it is not usually detected until the late stages of the disease (“Pancreatic Cancer”).

There are two types of pancreatic cancer. The most common type is adenocarcinoma exocrine cancer, also known as pancreatic exocrine cancer. This begins at the lining of the pancreas where fluids and hormones are excreted to break down fats, proteins, and sugars in the small intestine. The second more rare cancer is called islet cell cancer, or pancreatic endocrine cancer, which forms in the hormone-producing cells of the pancreas (“Pancreatic cancer”). Pancreatic cancer is believed to be the cause of a stressed environment, often triggered by alcohol or tobacco use, that generates inflammation in the pancreas (“Pancreatic Cancer”). This stress then leads to a mutation in the DNA of cells. These mutated cells then reproduce rapidly and eventually form a tumor that often spreads to other parts of the body (“Pancreatic cancer”).

What are the symptoms?

The reason for late detection could be linked to the symptoms of this cancer. Symptoms are vague that those who develop pancreatic cancer may not realize that they have it. According to the Encyclopedia of Cancer and Society and Mayo Clinic symptoms may include nonspecific abdominal or back pains, loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue, blood clots, and Jaundice, the yellowing of skin, or eyes. Jaundice occurs in half of all patients due to the obstruction of drainage into the small intestine (“Pancreatic Cancer”). Also, an emotional symptom may include depression. Although, these symptoms are related to pancreatic cancer, they may also be from other diseases or cancer. Checking with a doctor is the best way to confirm a suspicion of pancreatic cancer (“Pancreatic cancer”).

How is it diagnosed and treated?

The first step in determining the presence of pancreatic cancer is through a careful diagnosis. There are numerous ways to diagnose this disease. A diagnosis can be obtained by using image testing like ultrasound, computerized tomography (CT) and Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Also a sample test from the pancreas may also be used by obtaining a piece of the pancreas using a scope or by inserting a needle into the body (“Pancreatic cancer”).

Treatments also vary depending on what stage of cancer that one has been diagnosed with. The least harmful stage is stage one, where the cancer is only confined to the pancreas, the most deadly stage is the fourth stage where the cancer has spread to other organs in the body (“Pancreatic cancer”). Treatments for curing cancer involves the use of chemotherapy which can be given to patients orally or through injections. Radiation may also be given but a cure through this method is uncommon (Niendorf).

Who can get pancreatic cancer?

Pancreatic cancer can affect anyone who is not aware of the risk factors that are known about this disease. The most known risk factors are those who: use tobacco or alcohol regularly, are African-American, obese, suffer from chronic inflammation, diabetes, and have a family history or certain genetic syndromes (“Pancreatic cancer”). Occupations that increase risk of cancer are those that include involvement in farming and manufacturing (Niendorf).

Statistically, pancreatic cancer appears in about thirty percent in smoking patients and about ten percent in heredity sources (Niendorf). According to the Encyclopedia of Cancer and Society cancer and inherited related syndromes include “Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, Familial Adenoma-tous Polyposis, a BRCA2 germline mutation, cystic fibrosis, ataxia telangiectasia, hereditary pancreatitis (caused by a mutation in the PRSS1 Gene), or Familial Pancreatic Carcinoma syndrome.”

How can this disease be prevented?

Those who are concerned that they are at a high risk of developing pancreatic cancer should know that there is no certain way to completely prevent this disease. However, some things that a person may want to do in order to lower their risks include stopping the use of tobacco and alcohol, and maintaining a healthy weight and healthy diet (“Pancreatic cancer). If a person has a family history or any of the inherited syndromes listed above, it is suggested that by the age of forty they should start testing for possible early detection. (“Pancreatic Cancer”).


More questions that need to be answered?
Here are some links that I have added to provide more information to your research or questions that I have not included on this page.

• Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
• The National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation - About Pancreatic Cancer
• American Cancer Society - What Happens After Treatment For Pancreatic Cancer?

Work Cited:
Krulik, Tracy. Pancreatic Awareness Ribbon. Digital image. Johns Hopkins Cancer Support Board. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2013

Niendorf, Kristin Baker, and Edward R. Rosick. "Pancreatic cancer." The Gale Encyclopedia of Genetic 

Disorders. Ed. Stacey L. Blachford. Detroit: Gale, 2010.Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 29 Oct. 

2013.

Pancreatic Cancer Awareness. Digital image. Pintrist. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.

Pancreatic Cancer. Digital image. Pancreatic Cancer - Pharmacy and Drugs. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.

"Pancreatic Cancer." Encyclopedia of Cancer and Society. Ed. Graham A. Colditz. Vol. 2. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, 2007. 654-655. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 23 Oct. 2013.

“Pancreatic cancer”. Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). 10 Apr. 2012. Web. 28 Oct. 2013

October 9, 2013

Dear junior,

My name is Rebekah I am an English 4 Enriched junior.  I’m writing this business letter to you so that hopefully you will learn a little more about the kind of  person I am.

At home, I am a laid back person. I live with my parents and my sister, Shannon who is a freshman this year at West.  I also have a very large group of friends that I met from being apart of our district’s music programs.  One activity we love to do together is being a part of the Marching Band.  Although this seems like a very dorky activity, it actually is a very popular, fun, challenging and competitive “sport” around New York state.  I think if I was not apart of this special group I would not appreciate music as seriously as I am now.    

New York State Field Band Conference link

In school I am a very hard working, organized student.  This year I am taking pre-calculus, Spanish, U.S. history, a forensic science class and playing the flute in a concert band and a wind ensemble.  I am also apart of two honor societies.  History is my favorite and strongest subjects in school.  I think it is very interesting to learn about other cultures and our past.  My favorite part of  any class is when we have debates about past and current events.  

I love to simply pick up a book and just read.  I don’t usually analyze a book as I read because all I want is a good story.  Mystery, adventure, and historical fiction and some historical non-fiction books are my favorite genres.  Over the summer I have read The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown, and lately I have been reading a lot of classics such as the Sherlock Holmes and the Wizard of  Oz series.

Writing does not interest me as much as reading.  Writing an essay is like pulling out teeth for me.  I only like writing if its a topic that I am interested in.  Writing historical research essays are basically the only essays that I somewhat enjoy writing.  However, since I am looking into occupation fields of historical research, I know I am going to have to learn very quickly how to love writing.

I hope that how I described myself has been interesting to you.  I cannot wait to learn more about you and your interests.  I am also anxious to see the fun, things that are in store for us this year!

Sincerely,

Rebekah