Questions and Answers About Pancreatic Cancer

Are pancreatic cancer symptoms different in men and women?

There is no information indicating differences in symptoms by gender. Pancreatic cancer symptoms tend to be non-specific and vague for everyone, such as upper abdominal pain or gas.

Symptoms usually only appear in advanced stages of the disease, making it very fatal. One of the warning signs of pancreatic cancer is a new diagnosis of diabetes along with weight loss. Another warning sign is jaundice, which is when the eyes or skin turns yellow.

Does having a history of diabetes or pancreatitis affect your risk of pancreatic cancer?

Diabetes is associated with pancreatic cancer for two reasons. First, having type 2 diabetes doubles your risk, and second, weight loss following a new diagnosis of diabetes is a warning sign for pancreatic cancer. In the case of pancreatitis, the risk of developing cancer doubles if there is chronic inflammation, and the same is true for pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas.

What role does family history play in pancreatic cancer risk?

It was found that there was a genetic link. In other words, it turns out that pancreatic cancer is the product of DNA changes in 10% of cases. However, if family history is taken into consideration, the number could increase to 20%.

The pancreatic cancer community recommends that people get germline testing, a blood test that can detect genetic defects known to cause cancer.

What mutations are associated with pancreatic cancer, and why should you care about which ones you have?

The BRCA gene, which is frequently associated with breast cancer, also has a significant relationship with pancreatic cancer. We believe that germline testing is important when it comes to cancer because delayed detection can lead to worse clinical outcomes. Currently this is not done consistently. Other new strategies should be used, including routine germline testing, especially for people at risk for pancreatic cancer.

How can people at high risk protect themselves from pancreatic cancer?

I tell people with risk factors to go to a specialist center and work with a multidisciplinary team to assess their risk and prepare a personalized plan to control it. The plan will likely include the germline testing and routine testing I mentioned. The pancreas is not easy to access with an endoscope, and there is no special blood test that can reliably detect pancreatic cancer. However, there are markers that appear in the blood, and detection methods are improving as pancreatic tumors and their genetic makeup are studied.

Are clinical trials a good option for patients with pancreatic cancer?

Yes. Clinical trials are always an important option to consider. There are trials assessing the success of tests for early detection, and there are a growing number of clinical trials for new treatments. Precede Research is focused on improving pancreatic cancer survival rates to 50% over the next 10 years through collaboration, funding and research to provide early detection, screening, risk modeling and prevention services. These clinical trials aren’t just for patients. Family members can also participate.

How do health care providers decide which treatment option is right for a particular patient?

While some cancers can be treated at local cancer centers, pancreatic cancer is a disease for which treatment at a comprehensive cancer center designated by the National Cancer Institute is recommended. It is important to assemble a multidisciplinary team to help patients enroll in trials, undergo germline testing, have tumor sequencing, and gather as much information as possible to determine the best treatment plan.

Treatment may include a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. There are promising advances in immunotherapy and vaccines that need to be validated in clinical trials. And new treatments that specifically target a gene called RAS, which causes cancer when mutations occur, could have a significant impact. However, any treatment will be optimally effective if the cancer is detected at an early stage.

Why is nutrition important for patients with pancreatic cancer?

Best nutrition information shows that a healthy, balanced diet with minimal processed foods reduces the risk of developing cancer. Exercise is also important. One study found that people who walk 7,500 steps a day can add 10 years to their lifespan. There is more and more information indicating that exercise is not only useful in reducing cancer risk, but also in helping the body respond better to cancer treatment.

Are there racial and socioeconomic disparities associated with pancreatic cancer?

A growing body of information suggests that underrepresented groups are less frequently offered germline testing options and are not fully informed of their cancer screening eligibility.

There will be 67,530 new cases of pancreatic cancer in the United States this year, with most patients dying from the disease. The biggest problem has been and will continue to be the late diagnosis. When I became a pancreatic surgeon and scientist 30 years ago, the 5-year survival rate was 5%. Currently it is 13%. This would make it the second most common cause of cancer death in our country.

I encourage my patients to take care of themselves. It is very important to listen to your body, listen to other opinions, and make an effort to be heard and seen. Your life is at stake. To change these statistics and the devastating impact this disease has on patients and their families, it is important that we all take the necessary steps to focus on early detection.