Pancreatic cancer can develop from two kinds of cells in the pancreas: exocrine cells and neuroendocrine cells, such as islet cells.
The exocrine type is more common and is usually found at an advanced stage.
Because symptoms of pancreatic cancer are hard to detect early, patients who visit their doctors are often already in danger.
For patients with pancreatic cancer, surgical resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy are the best options to save a life.
In a recent study, researchers examined risk factors that can contribute to pancreatic cancer.
Paying attention to these risk factors may help detect cancer early.
They also give several suggestions for everyone to reduce the risk of the disease.
According to the researchers, some risk factors are modifiable.
The first thing you can do to prevent pancreatic cancer is no smoking.
This is because cigarette smoking is one big factor contributing to cancer.
Research has shown cigarette smoking accounts for 25–29% of pancreatic cancer incidence.
Nicotine can stimulate pancreatic tumor growth and make cancer more metastatic and less responsive to therapy. It reduces the survival rate of cancer patients.
Studies have shown that five years after stopping cigarette smoking, the risk for pancreatic cancer can be as low as that in the general population.
The second thing you can do is having a healthy diet.
This is also a very important way to prevent pancreatic cancer.
A healthy diet limits red meat, processed meat, saturated fats, high cholesterol food, fructose, alcohol, low-fiber food, salts, and food preservatives as well as additives.
You should eat plenty of healthy grains, vegetables, and fish every day. Vegetables like tomatoes, broccoli, spinach, and fruits like blueberries may have a protective effect on cancers.
In addition, monounsaturated fats can help control insulin level and blood glucose. Including them in your diet to prevent or control type 2 diabetes.
Deep ocean fish, including salmon, mackerel, sardine, and tuna are major sources of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids.
Omega-3 can help maintain anti-inflammatory processes and may have some anticancer effects.
The third thing you can do is having regular exercise.
Regular physical activity can maintain healthy body weight and prevent obesity and type 2 diabetes, which will greatly reduce pancreatic health.
It can also help slow down aging and thus reduce pancreatic risk.
Research has shown that a healthy diet (when food intake does not exceed 2000 calories daily) and regular physical activity can account for 2/3 of our lifespan.
The study is published in Contemp Oncol (Pozn).
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