Cancer of the pancreas (also known as pancreatic cancer) is not as common as some other forms, such as lung, breast, bowel or prostate cancer.
Around 7,800 people are diagnosed with it each year. It is the fifth most common cause of death from cancer, accounting for 5% of all cancer cases.
Who is affected?
Pancreatic cancer tends to affect people aged between 50 and 80, but it can occur at any age. Approximately 63% of people diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas are over 70. Men tend to be more affected than women.
The pancreas
The pancreas is a gland (an organ that produces and releases substances to other parts of the body) situated high in your abdomen (tummy).
It is approximately 15cm (six inches) in length and is found behind the stomach, where the ribs meet at the bottom of your breast bone.
The pancreas is shaped like a leaf. The wide end of the gland is known as the head, the thin end is the tail, and the section in between is the body.
The pancreas produces digestive enzymes (proteins) and a hormone known as insulin.
- Digestive enzymes help break down food into smaller fragments, so it can be absorbed by your body.
- Insulin helps to keep the sugar levels in your blood at a stable level.
Outlook
Cancer of the pancreas is a very serious form of cancer, which is both difficult to detect and treat. Because pancreatic cancer causes few symptoms in its early stages, the condition is often not diagnosed until the cancer is relatively advanced.
If your pancreatic cancer cannot be cured, then treatments can help to slow the growth of the tumour and ease any symptoms you may be experiencing (see Pancreatic cancer – Treatment for more information).
