Where a person carries their extra weight may influence their risk of pancreatic cancer. People -- especially women -- with more fat around their waistline are at increased risk of the deadly disease, according to a study published today.
The study also confirms that the risk of pancreatic cancer climbs in tandem with body mass index, or BMI, a standard measure of weight in relation to height used to gauge obesity.
While a link between obesity and pancreatic cancer has been suggested, studies looking at the association have yielded mixed results, Dr. Alan A. Arslan of the New York University School of Medicine in New York City and colleagues note in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
To further investigate the relationship, they analyzed data on 2,170 people with pancreatic cancer and 2,209 people without the disease from the National Cancer Institute Pancreatic Cancer Cohort Consortium (PanScan), a project launched in 2006 to identify genes associated with the disease as well as lifestyle, environmental, and genetic risk factors.
For all study subjects, there was a positive link between increasing BMI and increasing risk for pancreatic cancer. Overall, the researchers found, people in the top fourth based on their BMI were at 33 percent higher risk of pancreatic cancer than those in the bottom fourth.
According to the American Cancer Society, the average person has about a 1.4 percent chance of developing pancreatic cancer during their lifetime.
When Arslan's team looked at weight categories, they found women who were overweight were at 31 percent increased risk of pancreatic cancer compared to normal weight women, while the risk for obese women was 61 percent greater.
Having a large waist in relation to one's hips also upped risk, most strongly for women. The women with the biggest waist-to-hip ratio were at 87 percent increased risk of pancreatic cancer.
"These findings, along with those from previous studies, strongly support the role of obesity in pancreatic cancer development," Arslan and his colleagues conclude.
SOURCE: Archives of Internal Medicine, May 10, 2010.
Big belly raises a woman's pancreatic cancer risk
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Big belly raises a woman's pancreatic cancer risk
by Meow-meow » Tue May 11, 2010 9:21 am
Disclaimer:
Please note that this is just for information and does not serve as a consultation
Please approach your physician for more information
Please note that this is just for information and does not serve as a consultation
Please approach your physician for more information
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Meow-meow - Aspiring Member
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Re: Big belly raises a woman's pancreatic cancer risk
by CGSS » Wed Jun 23, 2010 10:45 am
What is the pancreas?
The pancreas is a spongy, tube-shaped organ about 15 cm long. It is located in the back of the abdomen, behind the stomach. The head of the pancreas is on the right side of the abdomen. It is connected to the duodenum, the upper end of the small intestine. The narrow end of the pancreas, called the tail, extends to the left side of the body.
What are symptoms of cancer of the pancreas?
Pancreatic cancer has been called a "silent" disease because early pancreatic cancer usually does not cause symptoms. If the tumor blocks the common bile duct and bile cannot pass into the digestive system, the skin and whites of the eyes may become yellow, and the urine may become darker. This condition is called jaundice.
As the cancer grows and spreads, pain often develops in the upper abdomen and sometimes spreads to the back. The pain may become worse after the person eats or lies down. Cancer of the pancreas can also cause nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss, and weakness.
How is cancer of the pancreas diagnosed?
To diagnose pancreatic cancer, the doctor does a complete physical exam and asks about the patient's personal and family medical history. Other tests may be ordered, such as CT scans, x-rays that give detailed pictures of a cross- section of the pancreas. A biopsy is the only sure way for the doctor to know whether cancer is present. In a biopsy, the doctor removes some tissue from the pancreas. It is examined under a microscope by a pathologist, who checks for cancer cells.
Treatment options
Cancer of the pancreas is curable only when it is found in its earliest stages, before it has spread. Otherwise, it is very difficult to cure. However, it can be treated, symptoms can be relieved, and the quality of the patient's life can be improved. Pancreatic cancer is treated with surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy.
• Surgery
Surgery may be done to remove all or part of the pancreas. Sometimes it is also necessary to remove a portion of the stomach, the duodenum, and other nearby tissues
• Radiation
Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) uses high-powered rays to damage cancer cells and stop them from growing. Radiation is also used as a way to kill cancer cells that remain in the area after surgery.
• Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. The doctor may use just one drug or a combination. Chemotherapy may be given by mouth or by injection into a muscle or vein. The drugs enter the bloodstream and travel through the body.
Taken from: http://www.tkhsurgery.com/eng/conditions_pancreatic.html
The pancreas is a spongy, tube-shaped organ about 15 cm long. It is located in the back of the abdomen, behind the stomach. The head of the pancreas is on the right side of the abdomen. It is connected to the duodenum, the upper end of the small intestine. The narrow end of the pancreas, called the tail, extends to the left side of the body.
What are symptoms of cancer of the pancreas?
Pancreatic cancer has been called a "silent" disease because early pancreatic cancer usually does not cause symptoms. If the tumor blocks the common bile duct and bile cannot pass into the digestive system, the skin and whites of the eyes may become yellow, and the urine may become darker. This condition is called jaundice.
As the cancer grows and spreads, pain often develops in the upper abdomen and sometimes spreads to the back. The pain may become worse after the person eats or lies down. Cancer of the pancreas can also cause nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss, and weakness.
How is cancer of the pancreas diagnosed?
To diagnose pancreatic cancer, the doctor does a complete physical exam and asks about the patient's personal and family medical history. Other tests may be ordered, such as CT scans, x-rays that give detailed pictures of a cross- section of the pancreas. A biopsy is the only sure way for the doctor to know whether cancer is present. In a biopsy, the doctor removes some tissue from the pancreas. It is examined under a microscope by a pathologist, who checks for cancer cells.
Treatment options
Cancer of the pancreas is curable only when it is found in its earliest stages, before it has spread. Otherwise, it is very difficult to cure. However, it can be treated, symptoms can be relieved, and the quality of the patient's life can be improved. Pancreatic cancer is treated with surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy.
• Surgery
Surgery may be done to remove all or part of the pancreas. Sometimes it is also necessary to remove a portion of the stomach, the duodenum, and other nearby tissues
• Radiation
Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) uses high-powered rays to damage cancer cells and stop them from growing. Radiation is also used as a way to kill cancer cells that remain in the area after surgery.
• Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. The doctor may use just one drug or a combination. Chemotherapy may be given by mouth or by injection into a muscle or vein. The drugs enter the bloodstream and travel through the body.
Taken from: http://www.tkhsurgery.com/eng/conditions_pancreatic.html
- CGSS
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- Joined: Sat May 29, 2010 6:10 pm
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