7 Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer You're Most Likely to Ignore, Including Weight Loss — Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

"This study provides the most comprehensive data to date supporting genetic testing for all pancreatic cancer patients," says Fergus Couch, PhD.

There is active research at Johns Hopkins that is aimed at developing a test for pancreatic cancer in the blood, urine and stool… Unfortunately, most pancreatic cancer cannot be prevented, but you can reduce your risk by maintaining a healthy weight, stopping smoking and limiting your alcohol intake.

"Poor appetite, indigestion and nausea are common in people with pancreatic cancer," says Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN).

"People diagnosed with pancreatic cancer often find it difficult to maintain their weight and follow a healthy diet," says Christi M.

Many people are not aware that diabetes can be a symptom of pancreatic cancer.

"Long-standing diabetes is a (modest) risk factor for pancreatic cancer," says Suresh Chari, MD.

Individuals who've had diabetes for more than five years can be considered at a slightly higher than average risk of developing pancreatic cancer, as noted above.

But those with a new onset of diabetes after age 50 have a nearly 1% chance of being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer within three years following their diabetes diagnosis.

But what is the link between diabetes and pancreatic cancer.

"It's thought that pancreatic cancer can cause cells in the body to become resistant to insulin, a key hormone produced by the pancreas that helps regulate blood sugar levels," says Dr.

It's important to note that even though pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) arise from the hormone-producing cells of the pancreas, diabetes is neither a symptom nor risk factor for PNETs… Both diabetes and pancreatic cancer can present with vague symptoms that can be dismissed by doctors and patients, and both can be much more manageable if diagnosed early and accurately.

"Almost 7 out of 10 people (70%) with pancreatic cancer go to their doctors because they have pain," explains Cancer Research UK.

"So the only known risk factor is tobacco smoking," says Dr.

As you mentioned, famous people, if you look at Jimmy Carter and his family, a lot of people have had pancreatic cancer except him, interestingly

"People who smoke are two times more likely to develop pancreatic cancer compared to those who don't," says Joseph Herman, MD, MSc, a member of the Scientific and Medical Advisory Board at PanCAN

"Especially for people who have other risk factors – like a family history of pancreatic cancer or longstanding diabetes – it's crucial to quit smoking as soon as possible," Dr

"Other modifiable risk factors, like maintaining a healthy diet and keeping active, can further decrease an individual's lifetime risk of developing pancreatic cancer."

With the majority of Americans being overweight, it's easy to normalize obesity—but being obese increases the risk of pancreatic cancer, experts say

"With the majority of pancreatic and breast cancer patients being overweight or obese at diagnosis, uncovering potential therapeutic targets within the mechanisms that associate obesity with poor cancer prognoses is the first step towards developing remedies that could disrupt this association and significantly improve patient outcome," says Rakesh K

"Being very overweight (obese) is a risk factor for pancreatic cancer

Obese people (body mass index [BMI] of 30 or more) are about 20% more likely to develop pancreatic cancer

"Carrying extra weight around the waistline may be a risk factor even in people who are not very overweight."