Pancreatic cancer is one of the most serious forms of cancer. It’s also one of the deadliest, with a five-year survival rate of less than 5 percent.

But there are ways to help prevent it and lower your risk. Here are the five things you need to know about pancreatic cancer.

1. There’s no screening test for pancreatic cancer

2. Doctors are working on new tests that could help find pancreatic cancer earlier

3. Some people with a family history of pancreatic cancer may be more likely to develop it themselves

4. Pancreatic cancer can be hard to diagnose because it often doesn’t have symptoms early on, but doctors are getting better at finding it early

5. Treating pancreatic cancer depends on where in the pancreas the tumor is located.

What is pancreatic cancer?

Pancreatic cancer is a malignant tumor that develops in the pancreas, a glandular organ located behind the stomach.

The pancreas is part of the digestive system, and its two main functions are to produce digestive enzymes that help break down food and to release hormones such as insulin. When cancer begins in the pancreas, it can spread first to nearby organs, including the liver, duodenum (the first section of the small intestine), stomach and spleen. It can also spread to distant organs like the lungs or brain.

The main types of pancreatic cancer include:

PanNETs (pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors). These account for about 10 percent of all pancreatic cancers and start in cells that make hormones called neuroendocrine hormones. They can cause symptoms such as diabetes insipidus (a condition in which there’s excessive thirst or urination), high blood sugar levels or hormonal imbalances.

Adenocarcinoma. This is the most common type of pancreatic cancer, accounting for about 80 percent of cases. It starts in cells that make mucus and other substances normally found in digestive organs.

What is the cause of pancreatic cancer?

The cause of pancreatic cancer remains unknown. There are many theories about the causes of pancreatic cancer, but none have been proven. Some research indicates that heredity may play a role in the development of pancreatic cancer.

The risk for pancreatic cancer increases with age, and it is rare in people younger than 40 years old. Other factors that may increase your chance of pancreatic cancer include:

• Alcohol consumption
• Obesity
• Lack of physical activity
• Diabetes mellitus type 2 (high blood sugar)

How to diagnosed pancreatic cancer?

The cancer has only been diagnosed during its later stages in half of the cases, according to the National Cancer Institute.

In fact, the average survival rate for pancreatic cancer patients is less than six months, according to the American Cancer Society. That’s because pancreatic cancer is often found too late for treatment to be effective.

But there are ways for you and your doctor to catch it earlier. Here are some key signs and symptoms:

Diagnosing pancreatic cancer may involve more than one test or procedure at different times during diagnosis and treatment.

Blood test: A blood test can detect elevated levels of certain liver enzymes (AFP). These enzymes can indicate a tumor that may be affecting your liver but not necessarily your pancreas. It’s important to note that this test doesn’t diagnose pancreatic cancer; it only shows a possible cause or impact of an existing condition.

Computed tomography (CT) scan: This scan uses X-rays to create detailed images of your organs and tissues inside your body — including your pancreas — without surgery or radiation exposure. CT scans aren’t always necessary when diagnosing pancreatic cancer.

What are the pancreatic cancer symptoms?

Pancreatic cancer is a serious disease that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. It usually spreads rapidly, making it difficult to treat. The following are the most common symptoms of pancreatic cancer:

• Pain in the upper abdomen or back that persists for more than a few minutes. It may be mild at first, but it can increase in intensity as the disease progresses.
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). This symptom is due to high levels of bilirubin in the bloodstream.
• A feeling of fullness after eating only a small amount of food. You may also have pain when eating or feel nauseous or vomit after meals.
• Changes in bowel habits (diarrhea or constipation). These changes may be accompanied by abdominal pain and blood loss from the rectum (rectal bleeding).
• Loss of appetite, weight loss and fatigue (feeling tired all the time).

How to treat pancreatic cancer?

Treatment for pancreatic cancer may include surgery to remove all or part of the pancreas, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

Surgery

Surgery is used to diagnose and treat pancreatic cancer. Surgery can also be used to remove a tumor that has spread outside the pancreas.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. There are three types of chemotherapy: systemic (oral or intravenous), loco-regional (directly into an area), and perioperative (before surgery). Chemotherapy may be given before surgery so that it can reach tumors before they are removed by surgery. This approach is called neoadjuvant therapy and helps determine if tumors can be cured with surgery alone or if additional treatment will be needed after surgery to cure them completely.