Study Sheds Light on Pancreatic Cancer Risk Factors

Gaining a better understanding of pancreatic cancer’s risk factors was the focus of a recent study conducted at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. There an international team of investigators set out to better understand the factors that put patients with pancreatic lesions at higher risk for developing an invasive form of pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic lesions are considered a potential marker for the development of the disease. An estimated 10 to 40 percent of the population happens to have pancreatic lesions. These lesions, however, are often noncancerous, which means a better understanding the factors that can lead to progression is critical for helping with more accurate early detection.

Researchers conducting the study looked at information related to 1,126 people diagnosed with pancreatic lesions to uncover protocols for placing people in higher risk categories. Researchers found that 84 of the patients in the study group who did indeed have pancreatic cancer displayed all or some of these risk factors:

• History of tobacco use
• Obesity
• Jaundice
• Steatorrhea
• Larger cyst sizes
• Presence of cysts in the main pancreatic ducts
• Presence of nodules on cyst walls

The results of the study are being used to help redefine guidelines for the treatment of pancreatic lesions. They are also shedding more light on indicators of high risk for this disease’s formation. Even if lesions are present, not all will turn to cancer. The other risk factors uncovered provide a clearer picture.

Those with a strong family history of pancreatic cancer or who are concerned about the disease due to other risk factors, such as diabetes, should speak with their health care providers. While early screening for the disease is not standard practice, doctors do have some tools available to them when a particular patient’s risk is high. Understanding personal risks is the first step to gaining an edge on this disease that is so often silent and so difficult to detect.

About Author

The Sandler-Kenner Foundation was started by Gregory A. Echt, M.D. and his wife, Susan T. Echt, after they lost two of their dear friends, Michael and Peter, to premature deaths from pancreatic cancer.

Non-profit organization - The Sandler-Kenner Foundation’s primary focus is to improve survivability of pancreatic cancer patients by developing early identification tools that are highly sensitive, cost effective and easily implemented by medical pra