By Melinda Ratini, D.O., M.S., Staff Writer, myOptumHealth

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The pancreas is a small but important organ located in the abdomen behind the stomach. It makes enzymes that aid in digestion and also makes several hormones, including insulin and glucagon. Insulin is the hormone that takes sugar (glucose) out of the blood and carries it to cells throughout the body, supplying them with energy. Glucagon is a hormone that raises the amount of glucose in the bloodstream if levels drop too low.

The vast majority of pancreatic cancers start in the ducts that carry pancreatic juices (the exocrine glands). These glands make and secrete the enzymes to help digestion. More rarely, pancreatic cancer begins in the endocrine cells, which make insulin and other hormones.

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In the U.S., pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths. More than 37,000 are diagnosed with this cancer each year, and about 34,000 die from the disease.

What are the risk factors for pancreatic cancer?
Although the exact cause of pancreatic cancer is not known, certain risk factors can raise a person's chance of getting it. These include:

• Aging. Risk increases with age. Most cases appear in people over the age of 60.
• Male gender. Men are more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than women.
• Being African American. African Americans are more likely to get pancreatic cancer than Asians, Hispanics or whites.
• Family history. The risk for getting pancreatic cancer is three times higher if a first-degree relative (parent or sibling) has the disease. People who have a family history of colon or ovarian cancer are also at higher risk for pancreatic cancer.
• Smoking. People who smoke are two to three times more likely to get pancreatic cancer than people who don't smoke.
• Diabetes. People who have diabetes are more likely to get pancreatic cancer than people who don't.
• Chronic pancreatitis. Long-term inflammation of the pancreas is linked to a higher risk of pancreatic cancer.

Some studies suggest a higher risk of pancreatic cancer may be linked to a high-fat diet, obesity and workplace exposure to certain chemicals.

Related link: Diagnosing and Staging Pancreatic Cancer 

What are the symptoms?
Early pancreatic cancer does not usually have any symptoms. When the cancer becomes large enough, symptoms may appear. These may include:

• Yellowing of the eyes and skin, dark urine (jaundice)
• Pain in the upper back or upper abdomen
• Weight loss
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue and weakness

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Many other conditions can cause these symptoms. If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor to find out the cause.

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