What Are The Common Risk Factors For Pancreatic Cancer?
Pancreatic cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the pancreas, with the most common form developing in the cells lining the pancreas ducts. It is important to treat pancreas cancer as soon as it is discovered to maximise the chances of full recovery – but there are also several things you can do to try and prevent it from developing in the first place. Listed below are some of the main risk factors for developing pancreatic cancer.
Quit smoking
If you are a smoker, it is important to quit smoking or at least cut down on smoking cigarettes. Smoking is a well-known cause of other diseases such as lung cancer, but many people do not realise that it can also lead to other cancers, such as pancreatic cancer. By cutting down on smoking, you will feel a lot healthier and will also reduce your chance of getting other diseases, such as COPD.
Watch your diet and body weight
Being overweight is a risk for pancreatic cancer, as well as a number of other cancers and health issues. It is a good idea to lose weight by dieting and engaging in healthy exercise – this will also make you feel healthier in general. Sugary drinks, processed meats, and other processed foods are a particular health risk for pancreatic cancer, so it is recommended that you avoid these types of foods. A healthy diet full of fruits, vegetables, and other fibre can help to prevent cancer in the long run.
Alcohol
Excessive alcohol consumption is another high-risk factor for pancreatic cancer. Alcohol abuse has been linked to pancreatic cancer in a number of different studies and can also lead to chronic pancreatitis, which is linked to the development of pancreatic cancer. If you don’t want to quit completely, it’s recommended that you only consume one alcoholic beverage per day.
Having a family history of pancreatic cancer
As with many other diseases, having a family history of pancreatic cancer can increase your chance of getting the disease. Whilst only around 10% of patients with pancreatic cancer have had a family member with the disease, there is still an increased chance of getting it, so it is important to speak to a medical professional as soon as possible if you start to get any symptoms – even getting a regular health check can be useful.
If you are concerned about the risk of pancreatic cancer or have any symptoms of the disease then we recommend you contact Birmingham Health Clinic as soon as possible.