Every third Thursday of November is honored as “World Pancreatic Cancer Day” in order to create awareness, foster support among the general public, promote funding and advanced research about this disease. This 21st November 2024 has the theme of  ‘A day of action, A world of difference’ encourages to spread knowledge, awareness about this lethal disease.

Pancreatic cancer is ranked as 14th most common cancer and as 7th highest cause of cancer mortality in the world. It is often diagnosed at an advanced stage due to its subtle symptoms like vague abdominal pain, jaundice, sudden weight loss.

According to the recent statistics from Indian council of medical research - ICMR, the incidence of prank cancer in Southern States has increased by 30% over the past decade with nearly 50,000 new cases diagnosed annually in India. 

Risk factors 

Non modifiable risk factors include male gender, older age group, family history of pancreatic cancer, chronic pancreatitis, genetic predisposition of BRCA1, BRCA2 genes, etc. 

Modifiable risk factors include alcohol consumption, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, diabetes, etc.

Symptoms

The symptoms are vague and that's why it's usually detected at an advanced stage.

Common symptoms include jaundice, abdominal pain, sudden weight loss, loss of appetite and other digestive problems, sudden onset of worsening diabetes, fatigue, change in consistency and colour of stools.

Uncommon symptoms include depression, mood changes, backache, fever, chills etc.

Detection and screening 

No reliable screening test is currently available for the early detection of pancreatic cancer in the general population.

In individuals with the significantly increased risk of pancreatic cancer on the basis of family history and genetic risk factors, imaging of pancreas is performed for screening.

• MRI with MRCP of pancreas and bile ducts

• Endoscopic Ultrasound 

• CT scan

• Serum CA 19-9 test - non specific 

• Sudden onset diabetes as a biomarker for early pancreatic cancer

Routine screening is not recommended for the general population due to rarity of this disease and invasive test procedures.

Treatment 

Surgical resection is the best chance of cure. In very late stages where surgery is contraindicated, chemotherapy and radiation therapy can aim to control and alleviate the symptoms.

Prevention 

Alteration in the modifiable risk factors has the potential to decrease the overall risk of pancreatic cancer. 

Cessation of alcohol consumption, smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, regular physical activities can be done to minimise the risks.