Pancreatic Cancer on the Rise Among Younger Women

A recent study that focused on women under 55 years old found an increase in pancreatic cancer cases.

According to Rohan Mandaliya, M.D., a board-certified gastroenterologist and director of The Center for Comprehensive Pancreatic Care at The Melissa L. Posner Institute for Digestive Health and Liver Disease at Mercy in Baltimore, while the study couldn't find the exact reason, one determining factor could be genetic mutations like the breast cancer genes BRCA1 and BRCA2. There are also other avoidable factors.

"There are certain risk factors that could lead to increased risk for pancreatic cancer, and one of them is smoking. So, quitting smoking is very crucial, (as well as) limited alcohol intake, avoiding obesity, exercise and healthy diet are some of the things women can try to implement to avoid pancreatic cancer," Dr. Mandaliya said.

Pancreatic cancer is difficult to diagnose, which means it is usually diagnosed at a later stage.

Some warning signs include ongoing abdominal pain that may include the back, unintentional weight loss, jaundice and even a new onset of diabetes.

View Mercy pancreatic health expert Dr. Rohan Mandaliya’s interview regarding pancreatic cancer in women.