Pancreatic cancer
The pancreas is an organ that lies behind the stomach. Several tumours can grow in the pancreas. These can be either cancerous or non-cancerous. Anyone can be affected by this cancer. It is commonly found in people over the age of 45 years and is slightly more common in Māori and Pacific peoples.
What causes pancreatic cancer
We do not know the exact cause of pancreatic cancer, but things that increase your risk include:
- smoking tobacco
- drinking alcohol
- having a family history of pancreatic cancer
- having diabetes
- chronic inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
- being overweight, especially around the middle.
Having one or more risk factors does not mean that you will develop pancreatic cancer. Even if you have no risk factors you can still develop it.
Symptoms of pancreatic cancer
There may be no warning signs that you have pancreatic cancer. Symptoms do not start until it has spread or the tumour is large enough to block the bile duct and cause yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice).
Other symptoms of pancreatic cancer can include:
- abdominal pain, commonly spreading to your back
- loss of appetite
- loss of weight for no reason
- light-coloured poo
- dark-coloured pee
- itchy skin
- diabetes that is becoming difficult to control
- blood clots
- tiredness.
These symptoms can be also caused by conditions that are not cancer.
Diagnosing pancreatic cancer
There is no test that is specific for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. You will need to have several tests and scans to confirm a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. These tests include:
- blood tests to measure a protein that can be elevated in pancreatic cancer (CA19-9)
- ultrasound
- CT scan
- MRI scan.
A sample of the tumour may be removed to confirm a diagnosis.
Treating pancreatic cancer
Treatment for pancreatic cancer depends on:
- the stage of cancer (how far it has spread)
- the severity of your symptoms.
If you are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, you will be referred to a specialist and a team of health professionals will take care of you.
The treatments that may be recommended are:
- surgery
- chemotherapy (medicines to destroy cancer cells)
- radiotherapy (radiation to destroy cancer cells).
Self care when you have cancer
It is important to take care of yourself when you have cancer. Try to:
- eat as well as you can
- get regular physical activity
- get plenty of sleep
- talk to the people who care about you
- accept or ask for help when you need it.
Cancer support
Once someone has been diagnosed with cancer, we know there are some difficult days ahead. No matter where you are on the cancer pathway, there is always someone to connect with for support.
There are local services available to help make things easier for you and your whānau, and support groups.
Support we offer — Cancer Society
There are a number of benefits of belonging to a support group.
Support and rehabilitation — Te Aho o Te Kahu - Cancer Control Agency