Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is cancer that forms in the cells of the pancreas. Pancreatic cancer begins in the tissues of your pancreas — an organ in your abdomen that lies behind the lower part of your stomach. Your pancreas releases enzymes that aid digestion and produce hormones that help manage your blood sugar. Usually not found until the advanced stages because it is hard to detect. Signs of pancreatic cancer include jaundice and weight loss. Risk factors include diabetes and exposure to certain chemicals. Specific treatment depends on the size and location of the tumor, and whether or not it has spread to other areas of the body.

Anything that increases your chance of developing pancreatic cancer is a risk factor. Some risk factors can be changed, while others cannot.