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In the United States, cancer of the pancreas is diagnosed in
more than twenty nine thousand people every year, with more than sixty
thousand in Europe. It is the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths. Living
with a serious disease such as pancreatic cancer is not easy, some people
may find coping with the emotional and practical aspects of their disease
very difficult.
People living with pancreatic cancer may worry about the
future. They may worry about caring for themselves or their families,
keeping their jobs, or continuing daily activities. Concerns about
treatments and managing side effects, hospital stays, and medical bills are
also common. Other patients join support groups where family members get
together to share what they have learned about coping with their disease and
the effects of treatment. Knowing and learning more about what you’re up
against always eases the burden and helps prepare patients not only
practically but physically and emotionally as well.
Pancreatic cancer, also called cancer of the pancreas is represented by the
growth of a malignant tumor within the pancreatic gland. About seventy
percent of pancreatic cancers occur in the head of the pancreas, and most of
these begin in the ducts that carry the enzymes. Although the exact cause of
pancreatic cancer is not known, smoking is a major risk factor. Research
shows that cigarette smokers develop cancers of the pancreas three times
more often than non-smokers.
Pancreatic cancer has been called a "silent" disease because early
pancreatic cancer usually does not cause symptoms. If the tumor blocks the
common bile duct and bile cannot pass into the digestive system, the skin
and whites of the eyes may become yellow, and the urine may become darker.
This condition is called jaundice. As the cancer grows and spreads, pain
often develops in the upper abdomen and sometimes spreads to the back. The
pain may become worse after the person eats or lies down. Cancer of the
pancreas can also cause nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss, and weakness.
Treatment of the cancer depends on factors such as the type, size, and
extent of the tumor as well as the patient’s age and general health.
Treatment of the disease is curable only when it is found in the earliest
stages before it has spread, or it is difficult to cure. However, it can be
treated, symptoms can be relieved, and the quality of the patient’s life can
be improved. Treatment includes surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy.
Biological therapy is also being studied by researchers to see whether it
can be helpful in treating the disease.
Learning to live with the changes that can be brought about by cancer would
be easier for patients and those who care about them when they have helpful
information and support services. Patients can always seek the aid of local
and national agencies that help with the emotional support, financial aid,
transportation, or home care.
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