Pancreatic cancer is a relatively rare form of cancer, but it is also one of the deadliest. In the United States, pancreatic cancer causes about 7% of all cancer deaths. The good news is that many cases of pancreatic cancer are preventable. In this article, we will discuss ten causes of pancreatic cancer. If you are at risk for pancreatic cancer, it is essential to be aware of these causes and take steps to protect yourself.
Obesity
Obesity is one of the main risk factors that can lead to pancreatic cancer. It is a condition in which a person has an excessively high amount of body fat. It increases the risk of pancreatic cancer because it leads to chronic inflammation throughout the body. This inflammation can damage DNA and promote the growth of cancerous cells. Obesity also increases the levels of certain hormones, such as insulin, that can promote the growth of cancerous cells.
Also, the excess body fat puts pressure on the pancreas, damaging the cells and leading to cancer. In addition, obesity makes it difficult for the pancreas to produce enzymes that help to break down food. It can result in the build-up of toxins that can damage DNA and lead to cancer.
Drug Abuse
Drug abuse is a significant contributor to the rising cost of healthcare in the United States. When you abuse drugs, your pancreas is put under a lot of stress. It can lead to the development of cancerous cells. Drug abuse can also damage the DNA of your pancreas, leading to the development of cancer.
Pancreatic cancer is also more common in people who smoke cigarettes. It is because cigarette smoke contains many harmful chemicals that can damage the DNA of your pancreas. Smoking also increases your risk of developing other(pancreatitis and diabetes), leading to pancreatic cancer.
Chronic Pancreatitis
This is an inflammatory condition of the pancreas that occurs when repeated bouts of inflammation damage the organ. Chronic pancreatitis can lead to the development of scar tissue, which can block the normal flow of digestive enzymes and cause them to build up in the pancreas. In addition, it can damage surrounding cells and lead to the formation of malicious tumors.
In addition, it is often associated with other risk factors for pancreatic cancer, such as smoking, diabetes, and specific inherited gene mutations. As a result, pancreatic cancer is one of the most challenging cancers to detect and treat. However, early diagnosis and treatment can improve the chances of survival.
Genetic Syndromes
Pancreatic cancer is sometimes called a “silent” disease because it often does not cause symptoms until it is advanced. However, by the time symptoms appear, cancer may have already spread to other parts of the body.
Genetic syndromes such as BRCA2 and Lynch syndrome are associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer. People with these syndromes inherit mutations (changes) in specific genes that increase their risk of developing several types of cancer, including pancreatic cancer. Inheriting one of these mutated genes doesn’t guarantee that you will develop pancreatic cancer, but it does increase your risk.
Certain Lifestyle Choices
How you decide to live can either increase or decrease your chance of getting pancreatic cancer. Some lifestyle choices that can increase your risk include:
- Smoking
- Drinking alcohol
- Eating a high-fat diet
- Not getting enough exercise
These choices can lead to chronic inflammation, which can damage DNA and promote the growth of cancerous cells. In addition, these choices can also make it difficult for the pancreas to produce enzymes that help break down food. It can result in the build-up of toxins that can damage DNA and lead to cancer.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition that appears when one’s body cannot regulate blood sugar levels properly. When blood sugar levels are high, the pancreas secretes insulin, a hormone that helps move sugar into the cells for energy. However, if the body is resistant to insulin or the pancreas doesn’t produce enough of the hormone, blood sugar levels can rise to dangerously high levels. Over time, this can lead to cell damage and pancreatic cancer.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation exposure is another risk factor for pancreatic cancer. Radiation therapy is a treatment that uses high-energy beams to kill cancer cells. While radiation therapy can be an effective pancreatic cancer treatment, it can damage healthy cells and develop new cancers. In addition, people who have undergone radiation therapy for other cancers (such as breast cancer) have an increased chance of suffering from pancreatic cancer.
Type Of Diet
Diet is thought to be one of the significant risk factors as far as pancreatic cancer is concerned. A high-fat diet, especially one high in animal fat, has been linked to an increased risk of pancreatic cancer. Diet may also play a role in developing pancreatic cancer by promoting inflammation. The chronically inflamed pancreas is more likely to develop precancerous tumors.
In addition, a diet that is high in sugar and refined carbohydrates and low in fiber has also been linked to an increased risk of pancreatic cancer. While the exact mechanism by which diet contributes to the development of pancreatic cancer is not fully understood, it is clear that what we eat plays a significant role in our risk of developing this disease.
Exposure To Certain Chemicals
Exposure to certain chemicals is one of the leading causes of pancreatic cancer. These chemicals include benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene, xylene, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and trichloroethylene (TCE). These chemicals are classified as carcinogens, meaning that they can cause cancer. In addition, studies have shown that people who are exposed to high levels of these chemicals are at an increased chance of suffering from pancreatic cancer.
In some cases, exposure to these chemicals can even double the risk. The best way to avoid exposure to these carcinogens is to limit your exposure to them as much as possible. It means avoiding jobs that involve working with these chemicals and avoiding products that contain them. If you must work with these chemicals, wear proper safety gear to protect yourself from exposure.
Age As A Factor
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most age-related cancers. The median age at diagnosis is 71 years old. About 95% of pancreatic cancer cases occur in people aged 55 years or older. The risk of pancreatic cancer increases with age. After pancreatic cancer diagnosis, the average life expectancy is just three to six months, and only about 5% of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer live for five years or more.Â
Age-related changes to the pancreas may play a role in developing the disease. For example, as people age, they are more likely to develop conditions that lead to inflammation of the pancreas, such as pancreatitis. This chronic inflammation can damage pancreatic cells and lead to cancerous tumors.
Other age-related factors that may contribute to the development of pancreatic cancer include a lifetime exposure to certain toxins and a history of smoking. Pancreatic cancer has a meager survival rate because it is often not detected until it has spread to other organs, at which point it is tough to treat.
Conclusion
Pancreatic cancers are devastating diseases that take the lives of thousands of people each year. While there is no sure way to prevent pancreatic cancer, there are some risk factors that you can control. For example, if you smoke, quit. If you are exposed to certain chemicals, limit your exposure. And if you have a family history of pancreatic cancer, talk to your doctor about your risks and what you can do to reduce them. While there is no guaranteed way to prevent pancreatic cancer, awareness of the causes of the disease can help you make choices that may lower your pancreatic cancer risk.
