Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is a relatively rare disorder, accounting for about 3 in 100 cases of all cancer in the US. However, the disease, which mainly affects people over 50, is becoming more common in the US as life expectancy increases. Pancreatic cancer occurs almost twice as frequently in men as in women and the disease is slightly more common in African-Americans and Polynesians. People with pancreatic cancer usually have few symptoms until the disorder reaches an advanced stage and often not until it has spread to other parts of the body, typically the lymph nodes in the abdomen and the liver. The disease is nearly always fatal and is the fourth most common cause of death from cancer in the US. Little is known about the causes of pancreatic cancer, but it has been linked with diet, in particular with fatty foods and high alcohol consumption. A higher incidence of the cancer in certain ethnic groups indicates that genetic factors may be involved. The risk of the disease is greater in people who smoke and in those with chronic pancreatitis.

The pancreas is an organ involved in endocrine functions, such as the secretion of insulin and exocrine functions, such as the secretion of insulin and exocrine functions, such as the secretion of enzymes involved in digestion. It is located underneath the stomach and liver and adjacent to the duodenum (the first section of the small intestine).

Causes: The cause of this cancer remains unknown. The most established risk factor for the development of this cancer is cigarette smoking. Other less common risk factors are:

• A high fat diet

• Diabetes

• Chronic pancreatitis, generally related to high alcohol intake

• Workers in contact with organic chemicals

Symptoms: when the cancer originates in the head of the pancreas, which is the closest area to the duodenum, patients suffer from jaundice and generalized itching. If, on the other hand, the tumor originates in the area of the tail of the pancreas, which is furthest from the duodenum, the tumor can grow to larger sizes before causing symptoms. This condition can result in the obstruction of bile excretion leading to the development of

• Jaundice

• Pale-colored stools

• Generalized itching

• Abdominal pain

• Weight loss

• A palpable mass.

Many patients with pancreatic cancer also have symptoms of cancer that has spread to other organs.

Diagnosis: Cancer of the pancreas can be easily seen with computed tomography or ultrasound of the abdomen. The diagnosis needs to be confirmed by obtaining a biopsy.

Complications: Complications arise from the spread (metastasis) of the cancer to other organs or from the physical size of the tumor causing obstruction of the bile duct or other internal structures.

Treatment:

Self Treatment: An overall healthy lifestyle with a well balanced diet is essential to maintain general health during the treatment for pancreatic cancer.

Medical Treatment: Although treatment with chemotherapy has not been very encouraging, promising new chemotherapy agents are always being investigated. Combinations of treatment with chemotherapy and radiation therapy may help control symptoms in some cases of advanced cancer. Surgical Treatment: Removal of the tumor offers the only chance for cure of this type of cancer. Unfortunately, only about 15 percent of patients can have their tumor fully removed. The rest of the patients have cancers that have grown too extensive to remove completely.

Prevention: the only well established risk for the development of pancreatic cancer is cigarette smoking. Smoking cessation should, therefore, result in a decreased chance of development this type of cancer.

How many health benefits can a small fruit provide? Well, in the case of the tomato, numerous health benefits can be attributed to this particular fruit. Tomatoes are loaded with countless health properties that aid in reducing and preventing some of the most life threatening diseases.

First of all, tomatoes contain four major carutenoids: alpha carotene, beta carotene, lutein, and lycopene. All of these carutenoids have individual health benefits and they offer great health advantages when they all work together. The red pigment contained in the tomatoes is Lycopene. Lycopene is one of the strongest antioxidants and it is very beneficial when it comes down to neutralizing free radicals which damage the cells in the body. Lycopene is also very beneficial when it comes down to heart health, prostate health and pancreatic health. A study has shown that men, who consumed ten tomatoes per week, reduced their chances of developing prostate cancer by an overwhelming forty-five percent. Other studies indicated that people who consumed more than seven servings of raw tomatoes lowered their risk of developing stomach, rectal or colon cancers by sixty percent.

The prevention of lung cancer is yet another health benefit of consuming tomatoes. Recent studies show that tomatoes contain two important compounds, coumaric acid and chlorogenic acid. These two compounds block some of the carcinogens that are found in tobacco. When these carcinogens are blocked, our bodies are protected from second hand smoke and we are less likely to develop lung cancer. And last but certainly not least, tomatoes are extremely rich in potassium, something that many of us lack in our daily diets. For instance, a single cup of tomato juice contains 534 milligrams of potassium. Clearly, with all of these health benefits, many of us should incorporate more tomatoes into our diets.