Most FATAL - Pancreatic cancer

 

The pancreas is a 6-inch long organ located behind and below the stomach. It is spongy and shaped somewhat like a fish, extended horizontally across the abdomen. The head of the pancreas is on the right side of the abdomen where the stomach is attached to the first part of the small intestine (the duodenum). The tail of the pancreas extends to the left side of the abdomen next to the spleen.

Over 95% of the pancreas is made up of exocrine glands and ducts which produce pancreatic juices or enzymes to be released into the intestines to aid in digesting fat, proteins and carbohydrates. The enzymes can build up due to high alcohol intake, gallstones, hepatitis A or certain drugs that can cause inflammation by attacking the gland itself. 

The remaining 5% comprises endocrine cells arranged in small clusters called islets of Langerhans, which release insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream. Both hormones are responsible for managing levels of sugar in the blood, failing which diabetes develops. For this reason, chronic sufferers are at risk of glucose intolerance (diabetes) and digestive ailments.

What is pancreatic cancer?

Chronic pancreatitis is a condition whereby the inflammation has caused irreversible changes in the structure of the gallbladder tissue. This is usually developed after long term alcohol abuse. Other possibilities include being over 60 yo, a smoker, diabetic, male, gene factor, cancer, high fat diet, exposure to certain toxic chemicals.

Recent studies found it takes about 20 years for a person to grow a cancer tumor and see it spread to the point where their doctor will diagnose them with pancreatic cancer.

• It takes 11.7 years for one mutation in a pancreas cell to grow into a "mature" pancreatic tumor (which might show up on a medical scan).

Digestive enzymes building up inside the pancreas can mount attack and cause inflammation. It can be so serious to affect the gallbladder as well. Once the healthy cells are damaged, they become abnormal and continue dividing and form lumps or masses of tissue called tumors. Tumors can interfere with the normal functioning of the organ. If a tumor stays in one spot and demonstrates limited growth, it is generally considered safe or benign.

• It takes another 6.8 years for the pancreatic tumor to spread and cause tumors to appear in other organs of the body.

A tumor becomes malignant or dangerous when the cancer cells migrate to other parts of the body through the blood or lymphatic system. Upon successful growth, invasion and destruction of other healthy tissues, it is said to have metastasized. This is an advance stage and highly incurable. In pancreatic cancer, these cells are frequently located in the head of the gland.

Classification

Pancreatic cancer is categorized depending on whether it affects the exocrine or endocrine functions of the pancreas. There is an important distinction between the two broad types of pancreatic cancer because they have different risk factors, causes, symptoms, diagnostic tests, treatments and prognoses.

Tumors that affect the exocrine functions are the most common type of pancreatic cancer with 95% of reported cases diagnosed as malignant.

As for rare incidents of tumors affecting the endocrine functions of the pancreas, there is usually no disruption in the production of hormones as they are benign. Exceptional malignant occurrences are possible only in non-functioning tumors.

Causes

The exact cause is unknown, but there are several identified risk factors.

+ Diets and Habits

- Pancreatic cancers are more likely to exist in men than in women, especially amongst the smokers. Smoking cigarettes increases one's risk of pancreatic cancer by a factor of 2 or 3. Second hand smokers share the same fate.

- Obese individuals and those who do not exercise are more prone to develop pancreatic cancer.

- Those who eat diets low in vegetables and fruits and high in animal fat and red meat are more likely to be diagnosed with the disease.

- Researchers who followed more than 60000 participants for 14 years in the Singapore Chinese Health Study found that those who drank 2 or more soft drinks a week had an 87% higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer. This study was published last Feb in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarker & Prevention.

On commercial basis, sugars are added to enhance taste. We are familiar with many products loaded with high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) as it is cheaply available to use as a flavoring ingredient.  HFCS is no different from sucrose (table sugar) with both having a 50-50 combination of fructose and glucose. Another example is fruit juice concentrates and fruit canned foods where fructose is used as 'healthy sweetener'. It is estimated that between 1970 and 1990, consumption of high-fructose corn syrup rose 1,000%, according to the cancer researchers.

The Nobel Prize winner Dr Otto Warburg explained that malignant tumour cells utilise glucose as fuel like normal cells. When much glucose is being redirected to these abnormal cells, large amount of lactic acid is produced through this fermentation process. Up to a point where the liver is unable to neutralise the acid, the blood becomes acidic and cancer sufferers experience fatigue. A lost of appetite leads to undernourishment and body wasting with deteriorating health as immune system is affected.

His findings confirmed that pancreatic tumour cells can use fructose to divide and proliferate, speeding up the growth and spread of the cancer. Health experts also found out that fructose can drive up uric acid level as part of its normal metabolic pathways, causing diseases like hypertension, diabetes and kidney failure.

- Long-term heavy alcohol consumption is also considered a risk factor for pancreatic cancer. In fact, 80% of acute pancreatitis is attributed to drinking or gallstones.

+ Age factor

Most cases occur after 60 years of age, this cancer is rare under age 40. Reason being that there is an increase in the number of possible cancer-causing mutations in our DNA.

+ Hereditary factor

Cancer can be the result of a genetic predisposition that is inherited from family members. It is possible to be born with certain genetic mutations or a fault in a gene that makes one statistically more likely to develop cancer later in life. About 10% of pancreatic cancers are though to be caused by inherited gene mutations. Genetic syndromes that are associated with pancreatic cancer include hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome, melanoma, pancreatitis and colorectal cancer.

+ Carcinogens

Carcinogens are directly responsible for damaging DNA, promoting or aiding cancer, including pancreatic cancer. We are easily exposed to this substance in our foods, certain pesticides, dyes and chemicals. During this process, free radicals are formed that try to steal electrons from other molecules in our body. These free radicals damage cells, affecting their ability to function normally, and the result can be cancerous growths.

There are also data suggesting that prolonged exposure to petroleum chemicals may increase the risk.

+ Medical factors

There are several other diseases that have been associated with an increased risk of cancer of the pancreas. These include cirrhosis or scarring of the liver, helicobacter pylori infection (infection of the stomach with the ulcer-causing bacteria H. pylori), diabetes mellitus, chronic pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), and gingivitis or periodontal disease.

Symptoms

Cancer symptoms are quite varied and depend on where the cancer is located, where it has spread, and how big the tumor is. Pancreatic cancer is often called a "silent" disease because it rarely shows early symptoms and presents non-specific in the early stages of tumor development. Tumors of the pancreas cancers are usually too small to cause symptoms. However, when the cancer grows, initial symptoms include:

• Deep persistent dull ache and back in the upper abdomen from the tumor pushing against nerves, worsening at night, making it difficult to sleep (more tail tumor)
• Jaundice develops due to compression of the tumor on the bile duct, located in the pancreatic head causing a poor removal of bile-containing yellow pigment, bilirubin, from the liver into the duodenum, and their consequent increase in the blood and skin (head tumor). Some patients reported itching before jaundice appears.
• Loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting
• Significant weight loss and always feeling very weak
• Pass out smelly, pale excess fat in stool or diarrhoea
• Some patients may develop diabetes

These symptoms of pancreatic cancer have numerous other causes, making it difficult to diagnose the disease before it is in an advanced stage. If the cancer spreads, or metastasizes, additional symptoms can present themselves in the newly affected area. Symptoms of metastasis ultimately depend on the location to which the cancer has spread.

In rare instances of endocrine cancer of the pancreas, there may be overproduction of insulin or hormones, leading to weak or dizzy feelings, chills, muscle spasms or diarrhoea.

Stages

Cancer treatment depends on the type of cancer, the stage of the development, age, health status, and additional personal characteristics. There is no single treatment for cancer and pancreatic cancer is usually only curable when found in its earliest stages.

The same cancer treatment to apply are surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.

Prevention

+ It is advisable to quit smoking because cigarette use is thought to be a main factor in 20% of pancreatic cancers.

+ In general, physicians recommend standard preventive measures such as keeping a healthy weight, exercising, and increasing consumption of fruits, vegetables and whole grains while decreasing red meat intake. Healthy diet may have some protective effect on the pancreas.

-- Recent researchers found that curcumin, a compound in turmeric seemed to improve the function of beta-cells in the pancreas that release insulin and its anti-inflammatory effects protect these cells.

-- Evidence also suggests that increased garlic consumption may reduce pancreatic cancer risk. A study conducted in the San Francisco Bay area found that pancreatic cancer risk was 54% lower in people who ate larger amounts of garlic compared with those who ate lower amounts.

-- As a healthy diet always include some sugar, as it naturally occurs in many nutritious foods like fruit and milk, the key is to limit added sugars of all types, rather than eliminating all fructose or sucrose.

+ Check if drugs used are harmful to the gland. Use some form of acidophilus to compensate if drugs have to be depended upon.

+ Some studies suggest that certain vitamins can reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer.

- Chromium is important in maintaining stable blood sugar levels, usually high levels found in pancreatitis.

- B vitamins such as B12, B6 and folate are anti-stress and help in fat and carbohydrate metabolism. Also B vitamins may inhibit tumour growth and reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer.

- Choline can be used to emulsify fats as high levels are usually found in pancreatitis.

- Coenzyme 10 is a powerful antioxidant and oxygen carrier that helps to increase energy, support adrenal glands, process fats, remove toxins from the body and boost the immune system.

- Omega3 reduces inflammation and also lowers triglycerides.

Other comments

It is very unfortunate that little progress is made on curing this most deadly disease in the last 20 years. The low incidence rate explains why insufficient expenditure cost is sunk into research study. Late detection when cancer has reached advance stage accounts for 95% of patients dying within one year of diagnosis. Even the remaining 5% can barely make it to the 5th year with the aid of radical surgery. 

Pancreatic cancer has claimed the life of Steve Jobs, Patrick Swayze (actor) and HK Jacqueline Law (actress) in recent times.

Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/pancreatic-cancer/

VIVA Corner

Given the depletion of enzymes in the pancreas, the metabolism process is impaired. VIVA GuocoGuard contains chromium that can assist by taking over part of this vital function. Diabetic patients will find the glucose level under better control.

VIVA Green Barley contains much well-preserved active enzymes that can neutralise free radicals especially in an acidic environment.

VIVA Guard has concentrated extracts from vegetables which after being ingested, the precursors will convert into the SOD enzyme (without being damaged by the gastric acid) to scavenge free radicals and repair damage.

VIVA Oxypower with its strong combination Coenzyme 10, vitamin A,C,E and trace of organic germanium helps to utilise oxygen quickly and effectively, encouraging the generation of energy and neutralises harmful free radicals, crucial to cells facing destruction.