Pancreatic Cancer In Young Adults
- A recent study published by JAMA found that from 2000 to 2018, pancreatic cancer rates have increased in young women between the ages of 15 to 34; the average age of diagnosis is 70-years-old.
- Symptoms of pancreatic cancer often don’t present themselves until the disease has progressed, which means staying vigilant about possible signs is crucial.
- Most common symptoms of pancreatic cancer can include jaundice, unexplained weight loss, back pain, and digestive issues.
A recent study published by JAMA analyzed the nearly 300,000 pancreatic cancer diagnoses that occurred from 2000 to 2018 in order to recognize trends about the disease. The study focused on diagnoses that affected those who are younger than 55-years-old, and found some startling discoveries. Their results concluded that younger adults, particularly women, are facing more pancreatic cancer diagnoses over the last two decades. According to their findings, the most significant increase in the disease is occurring in women aged 15 to 34.
Read More"These findings are important because this is the first time, using the most current data, that we are reporting that pancreatic cancer rates are increasing dramatically in women who are younger than 55," Dr. Srinivas Gaddam, a gastroenterologist at Cedars-Sinai Cancer and lead study author, said in a statement. "The findings are most dramatic in women less than 35 years old."
Dr. Gaddam says the causes of the uptick are not clear and warrant further studies. Causes may include chemical contaminants women are exposed to, birth rates and birth control hormones, among others.
Meanwhile, "women with abdominal pain should not run to their primary care physicians and ask for a CT scan," Gaddam said. "The incidence of this cancer is still very low in young people. We've identified this risk because we want to know what's causing the significant upward trend. Also, are we catching it early? Will it continue for decades to come? Our goal is to find the answers to those and other questions."
Dr. Allyson Ocean explains why pancreatic cancer is so hard to treat
Pancreatic Cancer: Symptoms
With a five-year survival rate of just 9%, it's vital that pancreatic cancer is caught as early as possible. However, early detection is notoriously challenging for this disease, as symptoms often don’t present themselves until the disease has already progressed into later stages.
“So the pancreas is an organ in your belly, and this is where pancreatic cancer arises,” Dr. Anirban Maitra, co-leader of Pancreatic Cancer Moon Shot at MD Anderson Cancer Center, previously told SurvivorNet. “Because the pancreas is inside the abdomen, it often doesn’t have symptoms that would tell you that something is wrong with your pancreas. By the time individuals walk into the clinic with symptoms like jaundice, weight loss, back pain, or diabetes, it’s often very late in the stage of the disease.”
This being said, it’s still possible to be vigilant about signs that something may be wrong. Here are the most common symptoms of pancreatic cancer:
- Abdominal bloating
- Abdominal or back pain
- Digestive problems
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
- Changes in bowel movements
- Unexplained weight loss
- Blood clots (can cause swelling and tenderness in affected areas)
- Diabetes
While symptoms of pancreatic cancer are known, there are still considerable challenges to screening for pancreatic cancer. This is mainly because the pancreas is located deep inside the body and therefore tumors aren't as prominent as they are with other types of cancer such as breasts or melanoma. However, research and clinical trials are still being done to make treatment options safe and accessible. When it comes to cancer awareness and treatment, knowledge is power. Always make sure to look out for possible signs.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
