November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. Learn about risk factors, symptoms, and how you can support ongoing research and awareness efforts this month.
November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
World Pancreatic Cancer Day is an annual global event on November 21, 2024. It’s a day to raise awareness, honour those we’ve lost, and demand improved survival rates for those facing the world’s toughest cancer.
Pancreatic cancer, often termed the silent killer is a devastating disease that remains one of the deadliest forms of cancer. With an estimated 66,440 new cases projected in 2024 and a five-year survival rate of just 13%, it demands greater awareness and advancements in diagnosis and treatment.
Pancreatic cancer is a leading cause of cancer death worldwide and its global burden has more than doubled over the past 25 years. The highest incidence regions for pancreatic cancer include North America, Europe and Australia, and although much of this increase is due to ageing worldwide populations.
In 2021, 110 cases of pancreatic cancer were diagnosed in the UAE population, with 31 cases among UAE citizens and 79 among non-UAE citizens.
What is the Pancreas?
The pancreas is a glandular organ that is vital for digestion and sugar control. It is located high up in the abdomen and lies across your body, behind your stomach, and in front of the spine. It is about 6 inches long and shaped like a flat pear.
It is composed of three sections:
- the wide end of the pancreas on the right side of the body is called the head;
- the middle section is called the body
- the thin end on the left side of the body is called the tail.
The pancreas has two very different and important roles: digestive and endocrine functions.
What is Pancreatic Cancer?
Risk Factors and Causes
Risk factors are characteristics, habits, or environmental exposures that have been shown to increase the likelihood of developing a disease. While some risk factors are modifiable, some others are not. Not everyone who has one or more risk factors for pancreatic cancer will develop the disease.
There are still many unknowns about what causes pancreatic cancer and how to prevent it, however, there are some known and possible risks that could be a factor in developing pancreatic cancer.
- Smoking.
- Type 2 diabetes.
- Chronic inflammation of the pancreas, called pancreatitis.
- Family history of DNA changes that can increase cancer risk. These include changes in the BRCA2 gene, Lynch syndrome and familial atypical multiple mole melanoma (FAMMM) syndrome.
- Fam ily history of pancreatic cancer.
- Obesity.
- Older age. Most people with pancreatic cancer are over 65.
- Drinking a lot of alcohol.
Pancreatic cancer arises when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably in the pancreas, forming tumours. The most common type is exocrine tumours, specifically adenocarcinomas, which account for over 90% of cases, this type begins in the cells that line the ducts that carry digestive enzymes out of the pancreas.
Less often, cancer can form in the hormone-producing cells or the neuroendocrine cells of the pancreas. These types of cancer are called pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors or pancreatic endocrine cancer
Pancreatic cancer rarely is found at its early stages when the chance of curing it is greatest. This is because it often doesn’t cause symptoms until after it has spread to other organs.
What are Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer?
Pancreatic cancer often doesn’t cause symptoms until the disease is advanced. When they happen, signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer may include:
- belly pain that spreads to the sides or back
- loss of appetite
- weight loss
- yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, called jaundice
- light-coloured or floating stools
- dark-coloured urine
- itching
- diabetes
- new diagnosis of diabetes or diabetes that’s getting harder to control
- pain and swelling in an arm or leg, which might be caused by a blood clot
- tiredness or weakness
Diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer
Early detection is one of the greatest challenges we face in trying to raise the survival rate of this disease. There are currently no screening tests available for pancreatic cancer however, individuals at increased risk may consider enrolling in a research screening study if eligible. Depending on your personal and family history of cancer, you may be eligible to have genetic testing to determine if you have any genetic changes (mutations) that increase your risk of pancreas cancer.
Diagnosis typically involves
Imaging techniques: CT scans, MRIs, and endoscopic ultrasounds.
Blood tests: Tumour markers like CA 19-9 can help but are not definitive.
Biopsies: For confirming malignancy
Treatment Options of Pancreatic Cancer
Different types of treatments are available for people with pancreatic cancer. The care team will work together with the patient to decide on a treatment plan, which may include more than one type of treatment. Many factors will be considered, such as the stage of the cancer, the overall health, and the individual preferences. The treatment plan should include information about the goals of treatment, the treatment options and the possible side effects, and the expected length of treatment.
In general, the following types of treatment are used:
Surgery: The Whipple procedure offers a potential cure but is feasible only for localized cancers.
Chemotherapy: Standard regimens include mFOLFIRINOX or gemcitabine combined with nab-paclitaxel.
Targeted therapy: KRAS inhibitors and BRCA-targeted treatments are showing promise.
Immunotherapy: Recent clinical trials combining pembrolizumab with immune activators like BXCL701 demonstrate encouraging results.
Prevention and Lifestyle Recommendations
While no sure way exists to prevent pancreatic cancer, certain measures can reduce risk:
• Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption.
• Maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly.
• Monitor for early warning signs if you have a family history
Family Support
Pancreatic cancer has the highest mortality rate of all major cancers. The 5-year relative survival rate is a mere 10% with 70% of patients not surviving past the first year. For these patients and their families, the diagnosis is traumatic and comes with challenges that are emotionally and practically unique to this disease.
A pancreatic cancer diagnosis can bring overwhelming emotions and stress, often leading to feelings of isolation and uncertainty. Support for the patient is critical to improve quality of life and overall well-being.
The priority in family support is to meet patients and their families where they are in their cancer journey. This includes offering support through peer connections to share experiences, providing access to counselors to help manage the emotional and psychological challenges of
cancer, and addressing questions about treatments, second opinions, and quality-of-life considerations.
We have found the story of Stuart for you, how he was diagnosed, the treatment he had and the experiences, and how he takes care of himself. Stuart is one of the fighters was 63 when he was diagnosed with a tumour at the head of his pancreas. After a successful Whipple’s procedure and chemotherapy, Stuart has been able to get back to travelling and enjoying life. He reflects on his experience of the diagnosis and subsequent treatment. Read more…
Sometimes, you have to believe that something is possible before it becomes so.
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