“Adenocarcinoma” is commonly known as “cancer.” Two ominous words anyone would never want to hear in their lifetime. Finding out if you are at risk for it is not a particularly enjoyable journey to embark on, but early detection and learning the dangers can make a significant impact or even save your life.
Anything that raises your probability of contracting an illness like cancer is considered a risk factor. Risk factors for various cancers vary. Smoking is one risk factor that you can alter. Others, such as an individual’s age or family history, are unalterable.
There may occasionally be a factor that lowers your risk of getting cancer or has an uncertain impact. Although that may not be a danger factor, you can still take heed and make lifestyle changes towards a healthier you.
Even having a lot of risk factors does not guarantee that you will develop cancer. Additionally, some cancer patients may have little or no established risk factors.
Do you have risk factors for pancreatic cancer?
Some of us would begin to wonder about the possibility of having the condition, so here are a few risk factors for pancreatic cancer that have been linked to increased risk:
Risk factors that can be altered
- Smoking/Tobacco Use
One of the biggest risk factors for pancreatic cancer is smoking. Compared to non-smokers, smokers have a roughly twofold increased chance of developing pancreatic cancer. Smoking cigarettes is estimated to be a contributing factor in about 25% of cases of pancreatic cancer.
The danger can also be increased by using smokeless tobacco products and cigars. However, if a person stops smoking, the risk of pancreatic cancer begins to decline.
- Obesity and being overweight
Obesity can be a risk factor for developing pancreatic cancer. A BMI of 30 or higher indicates obesity, increasing pancreatic cancer risk by roughly 20%. Putting on weight as an adult raises risk as well.
Even in those who are not overly obese, having additional weight around the waist may be a risk factor.
- Diabetes
Diabetes patients are more likely to get pancreatic cancer. It is not clear why this is so. Most of the risk is present in type 2 diabetics. Children and adolescents are developing this type of diabetes at a higher rate as they become obese.
Adults with type 2 diabetes and obesity are frequently linked. It’s unclear whether those with type 1 (juvenile) diabetes are more susceptible.
- Chronic pancreatitis
A higher risk for pancreatic cancer is associated with chronic pancreatitis, a long-term pancreatic inflammation. Heavy alcohol consumption and smoking are frequently associated with chronic pancreatitis.
- Exposure to certain chemicals
A person’s chance of developing pancreatic cancer may increase if they are regularly exposed at work to specific chemicals used in the metalworking and dry-cleaning industries.
Risk factors that can’t be altered
- Gender
Men are somewhat more likely than women to develop pancreatic cancer. This may be caused, at least in part, by men using tobacco at higher rates, which increases the risk of pancreatic cancer.
- Race
Compared to white people, African Americans have a slightly higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer. It’s unclear why this happens, but it might be partly because some other risk factors for pancreatic cancer, such as diabetes, smoking, and being overweight, are more prevalent in them.
- Age
As people get older, their chance of getting pancreatic cancer increases. Many patients are above 45, and they are at least 65 years old in about two-thirds of the cases. At the time of diagnosis, the most common age is 70.
- Family History
Some families seem to be predisposed to pancreatic cancer. An inherited condition brings on elevated risk in some of these families. The gene responsible for the elevated risk in other families is unknown. The majority of those who get pancreatic cancer do not have a family history of the disease, even though this is a risk factor.
- Genetic syndromes
Mutations in inherited genes can be transferred from parent to child. These gene alterations may bring on up to 10% of pancreatic cancers. Sometimes these modifications lead to syndromes that raise the likelihood of developing further malignancies (or other health problems).
Genetic testing can be used to identify changes in the genes that contribute to certain of these syndromes.
There is no sure-fire way to avoid pancreatic cancer. Age, gender, color, and family history are a few risk variables that you cannot change. However, there are certain things you may do to reduce your risk perhaps, and it is time to consider changes in your habits and lifestyle seriously.
Knowing your risk factors and discussing them with your doctor and medical team may help you make more informed decisions about possible tests, your lifestyle, and medical care. Look into pancreatic cancer new treatment for information on how to lower the risks of possibly acquiring the condition.