Use support groups. You can find a Nicotine Anonymous group or other support groups in your area through the American Lung Association. You can also find telephone-based support groups. [5] X Research source [6] X Trustworthy Source American Lung Association Nonprofit health organization dedicated to improving lung health through education, advocacy, and research Go to source Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), such as patches, nasal spray, gum, lozenges, and inhalers. These are not safe for pregnant women or those with heart disease. Prescription medications, which will be prescribed by your doctor. These include Bupropion (Zyban) and Varenicline (Chantix). [7] X Trustworthy Source American Cancer Society Nonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and support Go to source
Limit the amount that you drink per week to avoid liver and pancreas damage. [9] X Trustworthy Source Health. gov Online collection of health and fitness standards set by the U. S. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Go to source
The suggested recommendation for exercise from the American Heart Association is 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of intense exercise per week. This should be spread out over a few days. [11] X Trustworthy Source American Heart Association Leading nonprofit that funds medical research and public education Go to source
If you have a higher risk of pancreatic cancer because of family history, you may want to limit it to once every few weeks or cut it out entirely. [13] X Trustworthy Source American Cancer Society Nonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and support Go to source Always take the skin off your poultry because it has high levels of fat. Eat more nutrient rich fish, such as cod, salmon, tuna, and haddock. These foods have omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential to your health. [14] X Trustworthy Source American Heart Association Leading nonprofit that funds medical research and public education Go to source
If you want to eat these kinds of foods, look for all natural, uncured meats without preservatives, such as nitrates.
Examining the whites of your eyes and your skin for jaundice (commonly called “yellow jaundice”) may reveal yellowing of these areas due to bile (elevated bilirubin in blood count). If you have jaundice, it may be because of a tumor at the head of your pancreas that has blocked the bile duct or merely a gallstone. It is necessary to ascertain the cause/kind of obstruction of the bile duct. If here is a tumor in the head of the pancreas, then to open the flow of bile they may put in a stent, and if so, it may later become clogged, so watch for a return of your jaundice. If that tumor is cancerous, they might also be able to remove the tumor (Whipple procedure, major surgery), or it may not be operable, as when it has spread to the liver, abdominal/peritoneal lining, lymph-system/-nodes, or has encased crucial nerves and/or blood vessels near the pancreas. Checking around your collarbone or around the neck region the doctor may find swollen lymph nodes, which can be from various causes or because of pancreatic cancer spreading through them.
Blood tests will help to find or rule out other causes of your symptoms as well.
Your doctor will be able to detect any obvious/larger tumors that may be present in your pancreas or abdomen.
This puts the scope in close proximity to the pancreas, so the images will be detailed.
It will also help decide whether surgery is your best option, or you are not eligible. Before your CT, you may have to sip several ounces of oral contrast over about 45 minutes, which is a liquid that will help your organs (esophagus, stomach, intestines) show up better on the scan. And, you may be given an intravenous (IV) iodine/contrast to make blood vessels stand out clearly. Your doctor may also perform a CT-guided needle-/or laparoscopic- (microsurgical) biopsy if a tumor is visible on your scans in order to help see whether it in cancerous or not.
Fatigue, unexplained tiredness Pain in the abdomen or middle of the back Bloating, possibly repeated diarrhea Nausea, or chronic indigestion (possibly vomiting) Rapid changes in blood sugar levels Diabetes or sudden onset of diabetes Loss of appetite Weight loss Blood clots in later stages If there is jaundice with bile insufficiency because of a duct blockage: Yellowing skin and/or of the whites of your eyes Orange or brownish urine Light colored stool, such as chalky-gray or white (brown stool is normal) Smelly, greasy, floating stool
Being over 50, most are over 65 Smoking Your ethnic background, because African-Americans are at a higher risk Past history of chronic pancreatitis or chronic inflammation of the pancreas Family history of this cancer, especially two or more close relatives, as well as breast, ovarian, or prostate cancer in the family Obesity, poor diet choices Diabetic persons who develop diabetes over age 50 have eight times the usual risk of developing pancreatic adenocarcinoma within three years, after which the relative risk declines. [21] X Research source Bond-Smith G, Banga N, Hammond TM, Imber CJ (2012). “Pancreatic adenocarcinoma” (PDF). British Med Jl (Clinical research ed. ). 344: e2476. PMID 22592847. doi:10. 1136/bmj. e2476. Excessive consumption of red or processed meat History of heavy alcohol use or alcoholism Environmental or workplace exposure to certain pesticides, dyes, and chemicals
Any preventative methods will not ensure that you won’t get pancreatic cancer. They will just help you lower your chances.
