Pancreatic cancer to be lead killer by 2030
The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) has announced that pancreatic, lung and liver cancer will dramatically rise by 2030.
Overall, lung cancer is the most prominent killer in the U.S., but trends from 2006 to 2010 show the future rise of pancreatic and liver cancer. It is also expected that it will surpass even the second- and third-leading cancers: breast and prostate, according to researchers.
Dr. Otis Brawley, chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society, told CNN, that the rate of pancreatic cancer has been increasing for the past 15 years.
Researchers also say that currently only six percent of pancreatic cancer patients are still alive after five years of diagnosis.
Brawley also suggests that obesity is linked to pancreatic cancer. Unhealthy eating and lack of physical activity are particularly American problems, and pancreatic cancer is not as prevalent in Europe, he said.
Dr. Tony Hampton, family medicine physician with Advocate Medical Group in Chicago, also suggests avoiding smoking, having a balanced diet including vegetables and fiber, can lead to lowering pancreatic cancer risks.
“Smoking, diabetes, family history and obesity are some of the most likely causes of pancreatic cancer,” Dr. Hampton says. “While we obviously have no control over our family history, we can control our choices and develop healthier habits.”
Although other forms of cancer are predicted to decrease, there are two contributing factors that are contributing to the rise in pancreatic cases.
Minorities overall are at higher risk, alongside the aging population. Since pancreatic cancer is understudied there is limited funding for research, the AACR said.
“In an effort to double pancreatic cancer survival by 2020, the network is intensifying efforts to heighten awareness, raise funds for comprehensive private research, and advocate for dedicated federal research to advance early diagnostics, better treatments, and increase chances of survival,” said Dr. Lynn Matrisian, vice president of scientific and medical affairs at the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, in a statement.
“We’ve come a long way in identifying precursors to the cancer and the progression from pre-cancer to cancer,” says Dr. Ajay V. Maker, a surgical oncologist with Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago. “Some of the main gene mutations have been identified. The challenge for the future is to translate these discoveries into novel treatments.”
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health enews staff is a group of experienced writers from our Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care sites, which also includes freelance or intern writers.
It’s time to make Pancreatic Cancer Research a high priority. My own precious Father passed away at age 47 from this horrible cancer. He never got to walk me down the aisle, never rocked his Grandchildren on his knee or got to take them hunting and fishing, never got to see his Great- Grandkids. Diagnosis and gone in 2.5 years after much pain and depression, suffering and little to no hope from the start. It’s been 34 1/2 years since then and still……research is minimal. Wendy’s restraunts are collecting for Pancreatic Research at this time and I STRONGLY encourage you, plead with you, to donate through them (You receive $2 in coupons for every $1 you donate) or just donate directly to Pancreatic Research if you can. I’m sorry for ALL cancer patients of any kind and my heart goes out to you and your families. God Bless You.
ALL Cancers must be eradicated !
I just lost my grandma to pancreatic cancer yesterday……..she battled for 6 months before it won. Cancer sucks.
OK–so what kind of screening tests for liver/pancreatic cancer should our doctors be performing preventatively NOW??? This article needs to step it up!!!!
I have been telling friends, family and strangers about this rise in Pancreatic Cancer and; I have read that by 20 thirty it will be the 2nd leading cancer killer. Why are they not getting fuding our trying to find out about early detection and how to catch and cure this deadly disease.
I do know that some of the symptoms are as follows: digestive problems, feeling gasy and bloted, having some stomach pain and feeling full, feeling like something is sitting on the top of your stomach, back problems, etc. The reason I know this is what my beloved mom complained of before it took her life. They mis-diagnosed it as a bad bladder infection and she only lived two weeks after we found out the true diagnosis. Please help fight this deadly disease that doesn’t leave you with many alternatives but death…HELP!!!!
I’m very bullish on this company that is doing this Cell-In-a-Box delivery method in clinical trials for pancreatic cancer. The company is called Nuvilex. They are publicly traded (ticker is NVLX) and suspect it will do well.
Why not mention the meat correlation? My grandfather was a beef producer and the whole family were big red meat eaters. Grandma died of pancreatic cancer.
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/pancreatic-cancer-risk-increases-with-every-2-strips-of-bacon-you-eat-study/