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By Karina Margit Erdelyi,
Eat This, Not That!
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died from complications of
metastatic pancreatic cancer. The same deadly disease took civil rights leader
and Democratic Representative John Lewis and Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek. So
what is pancreatic cancer—and why should you be worried about getting it
yourself?
1
Your pancreas, tucked away behind your stomach, is an inconspicuous organ
tirelessly producing essential enzymes and hormones your body needs for
digestion, and to regulate blood sugar. Pancreatic cancer is a disease in
which cancerous cells form in the tissues of the organ, disrupting its
necessary functions.
What is Pancreatic Cancer?
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How is it Diagnosed?
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3
There are a variety of effective forms of treatment: surgery, radiation
therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Justice Ginsberg's
initial treatment lasted three weeks—and was then ongoing as it flared. Trebek
underwent chemotherapy. "Cancer is mysterious in more ways than one," he told
GMA. "The thought of passing on doesn't frighten me," he said. "Other things
do. The effect it will have on my loved ones—yes, that bothers me. It makes me
sad. But the thought of myself moving on? Hey, folks, it comes with the
territory."
How is it Treated?
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4
According to the American Cancer Society, "for all stages of pancreatic cancer
combined, the one-year relative survival rate is 20%, and the five-year rate
is 7%," reports Pancreatic.org. Trebek originally said he'd fight his, ending
with a joke: "Truth told, I have to! Because under the terms of my contract, I
have to host Jeopardy! for three more years." His good humor aside, the news
shocked his fans—and many Americans. The "low survival-rate statistics for
this disease" he said meant "the prognosis for this is not very encouraging."
As for Ginsberg, she initially "canceled her annual summer visit to Santa Fe,"
according to a statement, "but has otherwise maintained an active
schedule"—and she worked right up until her death. Discovering it early was
key to her recovery. Read on to learn the warning signs we should all watch
out for.
What is the Prognosis?
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5
Fatty foods can do a number on you, and others—for proof, just visit a men's
room on a Monday morning (or don't). However, if you are repeatedly
experiencing nausea and vomiting, especially after eating fatty foods like
fries, pizza, or even avocados, it may be a sign that something is wrong with
your pancreas. Why? Pancreatic cancer symptoms can arise when pressure from a
pancreatic cyst or tumor is growing on the stomach or small intestine, causing
a block of the digestive tract. As the growth becomes bigger, it can actually
cause a partial block by entwining itself around the far end of the stomach.
As well, your pancreas produces digestive enzymes that help your system break
down fat, among other things. Diseases that affect the pancreas tend to mess
with your body's fat-digesting capabilities, leading to nausea and possible
vomiting. A sudden onset of these symptoms, though, is more likely to indicate
pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas.
You Experience Nausea and Vomiting, Especially After Eating Fatty Foods
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The Rx: There are myriad reasons for an upset stomach, so don't quickly
jump to conclusions. If nausea or vomiting after eating persists, make sure to
see a doctor so you can find out what's going on.
6
Jaundice is a yellowing of the skin and eyes that occurs when bilirubin, a
component of bile, builds up in the blood. Bilirubin is made by the liver as a
breakdown product of old red blood cells and is usually eliminated from your
body when your gallbladder releases bile. Here's how your pancreas is
involved: Bile travels from your gallbladder through the common bile duct and
passes through the pancreas. But if the bile ducts become blocked—for whatever
reason—jaundice may result. Jaundice can be a sign of pancreatic cancer if a
tumor is growing in the head of the pancreas, obstructing the bile duct and
flow of bile.
Your Skin and Eyes Look Yellow
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The Rx: They may be galling, but gallstones are the more likely cause
for jaundice in adults than pancreatic cancer. Lower your risk of gallstones
by following a healthy eating plan and regularly exercising.
7
Oily? Greasy? Gray? Floating? If your poop is playing these tricks on you, it
may be a sign of pancreatic disease. It can wreak havoc on your ability to
produce the digestive enzymes that break down fats properly. The result can be
funky feces. See an oily film in your toilet water after going No. 2—or find
your feces floating? That's due to dietary fat that's not getting broken down
by your body. And as for the pale poop phenomenon: Bilirubin gives your poop
its brown color, but when your bile ducts are blocked, that color goes to
monochromatic hues of gray or clay.
Your Poop. It's Doing Funny Things, like Floating
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The Rx: Poop that's a bit "special" every now and then is nothing to
freak out about. But if most of your bowel movements start to have these
characteristics, call your doctor and get yourself checked out.
8
If you eat a healthy diet, your weight is under control, but you become
diagnosed with diabetes, it might warrant a closer look at your pancreas. This
is true especially if you're over 50 and have a low BMI (body mass index),
with no family history of diabetes. Your pancreas produces insulin, which
regulates your body's blood sugar. When your pancreas is under attack by a
tumor or disease, systems begin to fail, and it can be common for people to
suddenly develop type 2 diabetes. The same goes if you've had well-controlled
diabetes for a while and suddenly find it difficult to manage the disease.
Rapid shifts in diabetes status without a clear-cut rationale may be
associated with pancreatic cancer.
You Suddenly Get Diabetes
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The Rx: If you have diabetes but experience a sudden change in your
blood sugar levels, be sure to let your doctor know so you can rule out a more
serious problem with your pancreas.
9
You might be rocking the keto diet, but if you're dropping weight (too)
rapidly, it could be due to digestive issues associated with pancreatic cancer
or other pancreatic disorders. The weight loss may be caused by incomplete
digestion either due to the cancer or as a result of the cancer itself (like
when a tumor creates a stomach blockage). Unintended weight loss is a common
symptom of pancreatic cancer.
You've Just Unexpectedly Lost Weight
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The Rx: Many other health conditions can also explain sudden weight
loss, like thyroid issues. If you have just unexpectedly lost weight, you
should see a doctor.
10
Pain in your abdomen or back is a common warning sign of pancreatic cancer and acute pancreatitis, but the pain manifests differently for each. Radiating pain that extends toward the mid or lower back, which goes on for weeks, could be a sign of pancreatic cancer. The American Cancer Society shares that if a tumor that starts in the body or tail of the pancreas grows to be rather large, it can press on neighboring organs, causing pain. Sometimes, pancreatic cancer can spread to the nerves that surround the pancreas, which can result in back pain. If the pain, however, comes on suddenly, feels intense, and is mostly in the middle of your abdomen, it's more likely to be acute pancreatitis.
You Experience Abdominal Pain
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Pain in your abdomen or back is a common warning sign of pancreatic cancer and acute pancreatitis, but the pain manifests differently for each. Radiating pain that extends toward the mid or lower back, which goes on for weeks, could be a sign of pancreatic cancer. The American Cancer Society shares that if a tumor that starts in the body or tail of the pancreas grows to be rather large, it can press on neighboring organs, causing pain. Sometimes, pancreatic cancer can spread to the nerves that surround the pancreas, which can result in back pain. If the pain, however, comes on suddenly, feels intense, and is mostly in the middle of your abdomen, it's more likely to be acute pancreatitis.
The Rx: Any number of health issues can be the cause of your stomach
aches or pain. And more likely than not, your upset stomach is due to a more
mundane, garden-variety cause. If abdominal pain persists, however, please see
your doctor.
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