The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, cancer centers, and other organizations nationwide recognize November as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. As its name indicates, pancreatic cancer originates in the pancreas, an organ that sits behind the stomach. The pancreas aids in digestion and helps regulate blood sugar.
About Pancreatic Cancer
Exocrine cells make up much of the pancreas. When these cells grow out of control, adenocarcinoma of the pancreas occurs. Pancreatic adenocarcinomas account for about 95% of pancreatic cancers.
Pancreatic Cancer Facts and Figures
- About 66,440 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2024.
- About 51,750 people will die of pancreatic cancer in 2024.
- Pancreatic cancer accounts for about 3% of all cancers in the United States and about 7% of all cancer deaths.
- The average lifetime risk of pancreatic cancer is about 1 in 56 in men and about 1 in 60 in women.
All data reported by the American Cancer Society (ACS).
"Pancreatic cancer is difficult to treat, so it is important to understand your risk for developing the disease so that you and your health care team can work on ways of prevention and come up with a plan for early detection if cancer should develop,” said Najeeb Al Hallak, M.D., MS, medical oncologist, co-leader of the Gastrointestinal and Neuroendocrine Oncology Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) and member of the Phase I Clinical Trials MDT at Karmanos. “Our team works closely with our researchers to understand this disease and find better ways to treat the cancer. We offer many clinical trials to provide our patients with promising new therapies. We can offer a wide range of treatment options for pancreatic cancer.”
Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms and Risk Factors
In the early stages, pancreatic cancer usually does not have symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they may include jaundice, pain in the abdomen or back, weight loss, nausea, blood clots, or enlargement of the gallbladder or liver. Though it is rare, pancreatic cancer can destroy the insulin-making cells, causing diabetes. Some symptoms that may suggest an onset of diabetes or changes in blood sugar levels are feeling thirsty and hungry or urinating often. You should see your doctor if you have one or more symptoms.
Certain lifestyle factors increase the risk of pancreatic cancer, including smoking, being overweight, diabetes, exposure to certain chemicals, and chronic pancreatitis. According to the ACS, about 25% of pancreatic cancers are thought to be caused by cigarette smoking. Some risk factors for pancreatic cancer cannot be controlled. These risk factors include age, sex, race, family history, and genetic syndromes inherited from a parent. For example, men are slightly more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than women, and most occurrences happen in people over 45.
Pancreatic Cancer Treatment at Karmanos Cancer Institute
At Karmanos, pancreatic cancer is treated by the Gastrointestinal and Neuroendocrine Oncology MDT, which includes surgical, medical, and radiation oncologists; interventional radiologists; pathologists; specialized nurse practitioners; dietitians; social workers; and genetic counselors. The team focuses entirely on treating gastrointestinal cancers and shares its collective expertise. Each patient receives a carefully constructed treatment plan designed to achieve the best possible outcome.
To learn more about pancreatic cancer, visit karmanos.org or call 1-800-KARMANOS.