Pancreatic cancer screening: A lifesaving tool if you’re at high risk

Detecting cancer early saves lives. But when it comes to finding pancreatic cancer at its earliest stages, it’s especially hard. That’s because there are often no early warning signs that show up when pancreatic cancer is most treatable. So how do you know if you’re at risk?

According to the American Cancer Society, pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States. But Angela Alistar, MD, medical oncologist and director of the High-Risk Pancreatic Screening Program at Atlantic Health, is working with her team to improve these statistics.

“Most pancreatic cancer is diagnosed at a late stage after it has spread to other parts of the body,” she says. “We’re working to raise awareness of the risks associated with pancreatic cancer and to screen patients who are at the highest risk, catching it before symptoms appear, before it has spread to other organs and when it is easiest to treat.”

The pancreas is your body’s workhorse

Your pancreas is an essential organ that aids in digestion, balancing hormones and regulating blood sugar. Although there is no reliable way to prevent pancreatic cancer, there are ways to lower your risk, such as:

• Not smoking cigarettes
• Avoiding heavy alcohol use
• Maintaining a healthy bodyweight
• Getting regular physical activity
• Eating healthy, whole foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and limiting red and processed meats, sugary drinks and high-processed foods
• Avoiding exposure to certain chemicals, especially in the workplace
• Seeing a primary care provider for diabetes screening

Understanding the quiet warning signs

Many signs or symptoms of pancreatic cancer are often vague and can be associated with other medical conditions. Some of these signs include nausea, upper abdominal pain or back pain, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, yellowing of the eyes and skin or light-colored, greasy-appearing stools.   

“These symptoms don’t always signify pancreatic cancer,” says Dr. Alistar. “This is why it is important to know your body and follow-up with your primary care physician who can help you maintain a healthy lifestyle and monitor risk factors that can contribute to cancer development.”

She adds that research has also identified a link between new onset diabetes and pancreatic cancer, which is another reason to follow-up with a primary care physician on an annual basis.

When risk runs in the family

There are also certain risk factors associated with pancreatic cancer that you cannot change, such as your age, sex, race, family history and inherited genetic syndromes. 

“If you have a family history of pancreatic cancer in two or more family members on the same side of the family or if you have a genetic finding that’s associated with pancreatic cancer, you may benefit from the Atlantic Health High-Risk Pancreatic Screening Program,” says Dr. Alistar. “The goal of the program is to diagnose pancreatic cancer early when it is easier to treat and offers the best hope for longevity and quality of life.”