What causes pancreatic cancer according to Mayo Clinic?
You will also receive emails from Mayo Clinic on the latest about cancer news, research, and care. It’s not clear what causes pancreatic cancer. Doctors have identified some factors that may increase the risk of this type of cancer, including smoking and having certain inherited gene mutations.
How are gene mutations related to pancreatic cancer?
Most gene mutations related to cancers of the pancreas occur after a person is born, rather than having been inherited. These acquired gene mutations sometimes result from exposure to cancer-causing chemicals (like those found in tobacco smoke).
Is there a hereditary risk for pancreatic cancer?
Is Pancreatic Cancer Hereditary? About 5 to 10 percent of pancreatic cancers are hereditary. This means that for every 20 people with pancreatic cancer, one or two likely have an inherited mutation that increased their risk for developing the disease.
How is pancreatic cancer passed from generation to generation?
But in some cases, mutated DNA passes from generation to generation. These are called germline mutations. These mutations may lead to hereditary pancreatic cancer. This is the only way pancreatic cancer is inherited. Knowledge is power in the fight against pancreatic cancer.
What are the side effects of pancreatic cancer?
As pancreatic cancer progresses, it can cause complications such as: 1 Weight loss. A number of factors may cause weight loss in people with pancreatic cancer… 2 Jaundice. Pancreatic cancer that blocks the liver’s bile duct can cause jaundice… 3 Pain. A growing tumor may press on nerves in your abdomen, causing pain that can become severe…
Why do I get jaundice when I have pancreatic cancer?
Nausea and vomiting caused by cancer treatments or a tumor pressing on your stomach may make it difficult to eat. Or your body may have difficulty processing nutrients from food because your pancreas isn’t making enough digestive juices. Jaundice. Pancreatic cancer that blocks the liver’s bile duct can cause jaundice.
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Why is pancreatic cancer more common in Ashkenazi Jews?
Pancreatic cancer is proportionally more common in Ashkenazi Jews than the rest of the population. This may be because of a particular inherited mutation in the breast cancer gene (BRCA2) which runs in some Ashkenazi Jewish families. These inherited BRCA2 mutations increase the risk of both breast and pancreatic cancer.
How are inherited mutations related to pancreatic cancer?
This means that for every 10 people with pancreatic cancer, one likely has an inherited mutation that increased their risk for developing the disease. Mutations that happen during a person’s lifetime, rather than inherited mutations, cause most pancreatic cancers. These mutations cannot be passed from parent to child.
Is there a link between heavy drinking and pancreatic cancer?
The possible connections between heavy drinking and pancreatic cancer remain relatively unknown outside of the medical profession. In most cases, heavy drinking is linked with chronic pancreatitis. Those who develop this condition have a higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer at a later date.