Pancreatic cancer is the third deadliest cancer in the United States, but it doesn’t have to be. While late-stage diagnoses are tough to treat, the five-year survival rate is at its highest when the disease is caught in its earliest stage.

By identifying those at risk and prioritizing early detection, thousands of lives could be saved, according to Diane Simeone, M.D., pancreatic surgeon and director of the UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center. HealthyWomen spoke with Simeone to learn more about this stealthy disease.

Are symptoms of pancreatic cancer different in women than men?

No data has really supported a difference in symptoms based on gender. Symptoms of cancer in the pancreas tend to be non-descript and vague for everyone, like mild upper abdominal pain or bloating.Symptoms tend to appear only when the disease is advanced: That’s why it’s so deadly. One of the red flags for pancreatic cancer is a new diagnosis of diabetes along with weight loss.

Another red flag is jaundice, which is a yellowing of the eyes or skin.

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

Diabetes is connected to pancreatic cancer in two ways. First, having Type 2 diabetes increases your risk twofold, and secondly, weight loss along with a new diabetes diagnosis is a red flag for pancreatic cancer. As for pancreatitis, anytime we see chronic inflammation, the risk of cancer increases twofold, and that holds true with pancreatitis, which is an inflammation of the pancreas.

How does family history play a role in my risk of pancreatic cancer?

It has been found that there’s a genetic link, meaning pancreatic cancer is caused by changes in your DNA in 10% of cases. But when you factor in family history, we think that could even be as high as 20%.

In the pancreatic cancer community, we’re advocating for people to get germline testing, which is bloodwork that can detect inherited gene defects that are known to cause cancer.

What mutations are associated with pancreatic cancer, and why should I care about what mutations I have?

The BRCA genes, which are commonly linked to breast cancer, are also strongly associated with pancreatic cancer.

Late detection leads to the worst outcomes, so we believe germline testing for cancer is critical. Today, it’s not being done consistently. A whole new strategy needs to be created, and that includes routine germline testing, especially for people at risk of pancreatic cancer.

What should high-risk individuals do to protect themselves from pancreatic cancer?

I tell people who have risk factors to get to a center of expertise and work with a multi-disciplinary team to evaluate their risk and create an individualized plan to manage it. The plan will likely include the germline testing I mentioned and regular screening.

The pancreas is not easy to reach with a scope, and there’s no single blood test that can definitively find pancreatic cancer. But there are markers that show up in the blood, and detection methods are improving as we study pancreatic tumors and their genetic makeup.

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

Yes, clinical trials are always an important option to consider. There are trials testing the success of screening in early detection, and there is a growing number of clinical tests for new therapies. The Precede Study is working to improve the survival rates of pancreatic cancer to 50% in the next 10 years through collaboration, funding and research for early detection, screening, risk modeling and prevention.

These studies are not just for patients: family members can join, too.

How does a healthcare provider decide what treatment options are right for a specific patient?

While some types of cancer can be treated at your local cancer center, pancreatic cancer is a disease where we recommend getting seen at a National Cancer Institute comprehensive cancer center. Having a multi-disciplinary team is important so patients can enroll in trials, get germline testing, get tumor sequencing and collect as much information as we can to figure out the best course of treatment.

Treatment will likely include some combination of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. There have been promising breakthroughs in immunotherapy and vaccines that need to be validated in clinical trials. And new therapies may have an impact, like those targeting a gene called RAS that causes cancer when it’s mutated.

But any treatment is going to work best if the cancer is found in earlier stages.

How does diet play a role for someone with pancreatic cancer?

The best data around diet shows that a healthy, balanced diet low in processed foods reduces the risk of cancer. Exercise is important too. One study showed that people who got 7,500 steps per day could increase their lifespan by 10 years. There’s a growing body of data showing exercise can not only lower cancer risk but also help the body respond better to cancer treatments.

Are there any relevant racial or socioeconomic disparities when it comes to pancreatic cancer?

An ample body of data is telling us that underrepresented populations are offered germline testing less frequently and are not fully informed about their eligibility for cancer screening.

With 67,530 new pancreatic cancer cases in the U.S. this year, most patients will die from the disease without a fighting chance.

Late-stage diagnosis has been, and remains, the major problem. When I started 30 years ago as a pancreatic surgeon and scientist, the five-year survival rate was 5%. Now it’s 13%. It’s about to become the second-leading cause of cancer death in our country.

I advise patients to advocate for themselves. It’s so important to listen to your body, get a second opinion, and push to be heard and seen.

It’s your life at stake. If these numbers and the devastating impact of this disease on patients and families is going to change, it’s important for us all to advocate for a focus on early detection.

This educational resource was created with support from Merck.

From Your Site Articles

Related Articles Around the Web