Pancreatic Cancer: Understanding the Importance of Early Diagnosis

Pancreatic cancer is probably the most aggressive of the cancers. As early symptoms are rarely noticeable, most patients seek medical treatment when the disease is at its final stage, drastically lowering the chances for proper treatment.

The Silent Nature Of Pancreatic Cancer

The pancreas is a gland located behind the stomach that also plays a critical role in the digestion and regulation of blood sugar. Even when cancer does occur in the pancreas, it tends to grow slowly and symptom-free until its late stages. Unfortunately, by the time most patients experience noticeable symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, jaundice, or abdominal pain and digestive problems, cancer may already have spread beyond the pancreas, drastically limiting therapeutic options.

This is why pancreatic cancer proves fatal with no prevision. The survival rate for pancreatic cancer patients is remarkably low. Survival rates for other cancers, such as breast and colorectal cancers, are much higher because effective early detection capabilities exist in routine screenings. Unluckily, no routine screening test exists to screen for pancreatic cancer in the general population.

If detected early, patients can live much longer. For patients with localised pancreatic cancer—that is, for patients without cancer that has spread to lymph nodes or distant organs—the 5-year survival rate can be as high as 30%. For patients with advanced stages of the disease, it stands at just 3%. Early detection can be considered a beacon of hope—more hope that more lives can be saved. 

Who is at Risk?

Pancreatic cancer is hard to diagnose before it has a chance to progress; however, there are a few at greater risk. A first-degree relative who has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, inherited genetic mutations including BRCA1 and BRCA2, suffering from chronic pancreatitis, and those suffering from type 2 diabetes, particularly if developed relatively recently.

This means that more focused imaging or genetic testing will detect a few who could eventually develop pancreatic cancer but will lead to closer monitoring and more frequent testing to result in earlier detection for people in these high-risk groups.

Advances in Early Detection: New Hope

Despite all these barriers, progress has been made in early detection methods. More accurate blood tests are underway to identify molecular and genetic markers involved in pancreatic cancer. Some of these tests scan for specific changes in DNA or the presence of particular proteins that may suggest a picture of cancer's existence.

Even technologies like endoscopic ultrasound are now being developed. EUS permits visualisation of the pancreas and other structures. A small ultrasound probe is passed down the stomach to greatly enhance images of the pancreas. For high-risk patients, this has been proven to be valuable for the detection of tumours. 

The Role Of Awareness

While technology and testing are some of the important advances, so is awareness. The better people understand what puts them at risk, the better they can discuss their symptoms and concerns with their healthcare providers. For those at high risk, early screening and genetic testing may literally save their lives.

It is important to understand the common symptoms of this cancer, such as persistent abdominal pain and unintended weight loss, jaundice, and alterations in digestion. Once a doctor is informed of these concerns early, then they are more likely to request appropriate tests, which may increase the chances for detection of this disease at its earliest stage.

Pancreatic cancer may still be a tough disease to catch early, but advances in research, diagnostics, and awareness bring new hope to it. If we know better about the risks and symptoms and have better diagnostic tools, we will actually be diagnosing pancreatic cancer earlier, when it is still treatable, and thus save more lives.