Signs that Your Parent May Have Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the pancreas, an abdominal organ that is responsible for producing enzymes related to digestion as well as hormones for controlling blood sugar. The American Cancer Society estimates that around 53,670 people in the United States will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year. Pancreatic cancer is a serious form of cancer and is projected to be responsible for 43,090 deaths in America this year. Knowing the signs of pancreatic cancer could help your parent to receive care sooner.
Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms
Generally, the beginning stages of pancreatic cancer are painless and have no noticeable symptoms. For this reason, it is often not diagnosed until the cancer has spread to other areas of the body. Most pancreatic cancer starts in the cells lining the pancreatic ducts. These types of pancreatic cancers are called adenocarcinomas. The symptoms a person experiences will depend on what area of the pancreas the cancer began in.
Cancer that starts in the head of the pancreas may cause the following symptoms:
- Yellow colored skin, called jaundice.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Nausea
- Light colored stool.
- Dark colored urine.
- Vomiting
- Back pain.
- Itchiness
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
Cancer that starts in the tail of the pancreas may cause:
- Weight loss.
- Back pain.
- Belly pain.
In rare cases, pancreatic cancer can start in the islet cells. Only 1.5% of pancreatic cancers start in the islet cells. Symptoms of this type of pancreatic cancer include:
- Sweating
- Lightheadedness and/or fainting
- Anxiety
- Diarrhea
- Pain in the abdomen
- Weight loss
- Reflux
- Stomach ulcers that do not heal.
- Flushing in the face
Know Your Parent’s Risks
In addition to recognizing the symptoms of pancreatic cancer, recognizing whether your parent is at risk is important. Risk factors for pancreatic cancer are:
- Age. Pancreatic cancer is most often diagnosed after the age of 65
- Smoking
- Diabetes.
- Obesity
- Pancreatitis
- A relative with pancreatic cancer.
Scientific evidence indicates that those at the greatest risk for pancreatic cancer are those who have had diabetes for a while, are obese, and who eat a poor diet.
Senior Care Providers Can Help Reduce Risks
If your parent is at risk for pancreatic cancer, a senior care provider can help your parent to reduce controllable risk factors, like obesity and smoking. A senior care provider can assist your parent in preparing healthy meals. A senior care provider can also encourage your parent to exercise and be present when they do so to reassure your parent that they can exercise safely. Senior care providers can also help your parent to follow a smoking cessation plan.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering in-home senior care in Headland AL, please contact the caring staff at Wiregrass HomeCare today. Call us at 334-539-5900.
Sources
http://www.webmd.com/cancer/pancreatic-cancer/pancreatic-cancer-symptoms#1
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pancreatic-cancer/home/ovc-20268502
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pancreatic-cancer/symptoms-causes/dxc-20268506
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/pancreatic-cancer/about/key-statistics.html
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