Pancreatic Cancer 101: What You Need To Know

We've all heard it. The dreaded c-word: cancer. It steals loved ones and takes away control. Cancer can be a terrifying and difficult foe to face, but by learning what some of the warning signs are and symptoms to be alert to, we can help our doctors detect it earlier. Earlier intervention can lead to a broader range of treatment options and a better chance of stomping cancer into the ground. Let's get started on how a specific type of cancer, pancreatic cancer, is detected.

Diagnosing And Early Detection

Early detection, especially when it comes to cancer, can be started by looking at family medical history. You are at a significantly higher risk of developing cancer if you have multiple family members who have all been diagnosed with the same condition. You are also at higher risk for pancreatic cancer if you have a family member who developed it before fifty years old.

A diagnosis typically happens when pancreatic cancer has already progressed to later stages because pancreatic cancer is tough to test for, making early intervention even more critical. Diagnosing and early detection is typically done with the use of nuclear imaging scans. Screenings like magnetic resonance imaging or a CT scan can pick up some malignant or benign lesions, but they aren't as effective at viewing smaller lesions or ones that haven't fully developed into cancer.