Potential Causes Of Pancreatic Cancer
Despite continued research in the field, the causes of pancreatic cancer remain unknown. However, like almost all diseases, there are triggers and predisposing factors for its development. The risk factors for cancer of the pancreas are the same factors that are usually linked to degenerative diseases like cancer.
As with many diseases, cigarette smoking is a strong trigger for pancreatic cancer. It is also the most certain risk factor. In people who smoke heavily - two or more packs per day - the risk for developing pancreatic cancer more than doubles. Chewing tobacco has the same effect as smoking. The powerful toxins called nitrosamines found in tobacco cause alterations in cells' DNA structure, sometimes causing cancer to develop. This interferes with the cells normal functions, such as growth and growth regulation, thus resulting in abnormal cell masses. These tumors are often cancerous, especially in when they occur in the pancreas.
Risk for pancreatic cancer also increases with diets high in fat and sugar, as is true with most diseases. Risk also rises with large amounts of red and processed meats. This could be related to their fat content. Evidence points as well to the need to eat fresh fruit and vegetables. People who have a low intake of these are more at risk for pancreatic cancer. The same holds true for most types of cancer. Antioxidants like lycopene are helpful, as are vitamin C and folate. Processed foods and foods high in preservatives are also linked to cancer development.
Not surprisingly, two other potential causes of pancreatic cancer are heavy alcohol consumption and obesity. Alcohol increases the risk of and incidence of chronic pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas. Chronic pancreatitis increases the risk for pancreatic cancer a bit, but not a great amount. And obesity affects the body's ability to fight disease. Though diabetes is thought by some to cause pancreatic cancer, it is likely that diabetes may sometimes be caused by pancreatic tumors. Because diabetes is a disease of the pancreas, affecting the gland's ability to create the hormone insulin, this conclusion has weight. Experts recommend that a person over the age of 50 who is diagnosed with diabetes and otherwise unexplainable weight loss should undergo tests for pancreatic cancer and other diseases of the pancreas. Stomach ulcers and exposure to chemicals can also increase risk for pancreatic cancer. Microorganisms called Helicobacter pylori cause stomach ulcers and create nitrosamines, the same chemicals found in tobacco. Exposure to chemicals containing chlorinated hydrocarbon also play a role in cancer formation. Though the above risks can be controlled for the most part, some factors cannot be changed. These factors are age (incidence peaks between the ages of 65 and 80 years), male gender, and African ethnicity. Hereditary pancreatitis is a risk factor as well. A malformed gene inherited from a parent causes this condition. Forty percent of people with hereditary pancreatitis develop pancreatic cancer before they reach the age of 70. People with a history of pancreatic cancer and other cancers, usually with more than two family members with the condition, have an increased risk. The gene faults BRCA1 and BRCA2 often occur in these people and are related to breast and pancreatic cancer. Though the causes of pancreatic cancer are yet to be discovered, you can dramatically lower your risk of developing it. It's as simple as living a healthy lifestyle, maintaining a low fat and high fiber diet, and avoiding exposure to chemicals.
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