Pancreatic Cancer and Awareness

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer affects thousands of people every year throughout the world, killing more than ninety-five percent of its victims within the first five years. Life expectancy upon diagnosis is generally only four to six months. There are many risk factors associated with pancreatic cancer, the most prominent of which is a genetic mutation.  Specific symptoms indicating pancreatic cancer do not typically appear until it is in stage IV. At this point a cure is nearly impossible.  The aim of this paper is to bring to light the risk factors and the general signs and symptoms that are associated with pancreatic cancer. It is hoped that by increasing awareness of the risk factors and educating the public regarding early signs and symptoms we can increase pancreatic cancer detection and cure rates.