The pancreas is an organ behind the stomach that releases enzymes to help with digestion and produces hormones that help process sugars. When the cells in the pancreas begin to grow uncontrollably it becomes cancer. In 2018 alone, over 55,000 people were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

It is not clear on what causes pancreatic cancer but some of the risks that increase the chances are pancreatitis, diabetes, a poor diet, smoking, obesity, and family history. Some of the symptoms or signs of pancreatic cancer are diabetes, weight loss, jaundice, pain in the abdomen and back, and blood clots. There are two types of pancreatic cancer, exocrine pancreatic cancer and pancreatic endocrine tumors. The most common type of pancreatic cancer is exocrine. As for the endocrine tumors, they are uncommon, making only about 5%.

The treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. The best ways to prevent pancreatic cancer are to stop or never smoke, maintain a healthy weight, and eat a healthy diet. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, visit SecondOpinions.com to help you find the best treatment to recover your health and live a healthy life.