BY ALLISON KOZICHAROW AND BERNICE BORN
The pancreas is a gland only six inches long, but its functions are vital to the human body. It produces fluids and hormones that help the body digest and use the energy that comes from food. Pancreatic cancer is the 12th most common type of cancer, but it is the fourth cause of cancer death in the United States.
WiRED International now offers a Cancer of the Pancreas module on its cancer modules page.
The module begins with an overview of the pancreas and cancer cells, while further explaining the risk factors, symptoms and diagnosis of the disease. The discussion includes staging (the extent of the disease) and treatment, including follow-up care.
The pancreas has two types of cells: exocrine cells, which aid digestion, and endocrine cells, which produce the hormones insulin and glucagon. Together, these hormones perform the important function of maintaining the body’s blood sugar levels.
Pancreatic cancer is a disease in which normal cells in the pancreas stop working correctly and start to grow uncontrollably, ultimately causing a cancerous tumor. If untreated, the cancer spreads or metastasizes to other parts of the body.
The early stage of pancreatic cancer causes few symptoms, so the disease is hard to diagnose and often progresses to other parts of the body before a doctor is consulted. Regular checkups, exercise and a healthy diet are key to guarding against any disease. Risk factors affecting the chance of getting pancreatic cancer include smoking, diabetes, inflammation of the pancreas or pancreatitis, family history and obesity.
WiRED urges everyone to get educated about pancreatic cancer.