Pancreatic cancer: why this silent killer remains so dreaded
It is not the one we feared first. Nor the one who makes the headlines of prevention campaigns. However, pancreatic cancer is today One of the most feared by oncologists. Silent, dazzling, discreet in its first signals: Almost 90 % of diagnoses are made at an advanced stageoften too late to be operated on. Each year it touches About 16,000 people in France, with a Survival at five years under 10 %.
Faced with this observation, the National Cancer Institute (Inca) alerts: Some profiles are much more exposed than othersbut ignore their vulnerability. Because we can be in good health, active, and yet be one of the first concerned.
Pancreatic cancer: risk profiles identified by Inca
These are Five types of profiles that the CONC is now called to monitor priority, from the latest clinical and epidemiological data:
-
Smokers and former smokers : a major factor, present in 20 to 30 % of cases. The risk increases by +70 % For a big smoker.
-
Overweight or obese people : for a BMI greater than 35, the risk climbs up to +47 %.
-
Type 2 diabeticsin particular those diagnosed recently (less than two years): it can be a “masked” symptom.
-
Family history of pancreatic cancer or known genetic mutations (BRCA2, PALB2, CDKN2A).
-
Patients with chronic pancreatitisoften linked to excessive alcohol consumption.
These profiles, crossed, multiply the risk. But very few patients and general practitioners think of connecting them.
© Shutterstock
Inca identifies five major risk factors for pancreatic cancer, including tobacco, recent diabetes and genetic heredity.
Pancreatic cancer: wave symptoms that delay the diagnosis
This is all the difficulty of screening: The first signs do not lend. Diffuse pain on the back or stomach, loss of appetite, fatigue, bloating, weight loss … These non -specific symptoms can pass for a banal digestive disorder.
And yet:
-
They can precede the diagnosis of several months.
-
In Almost 50 % of casespatients consult a recent appearance for type 2 diabetes.
-
Imaging examinations are not systematically offered to these “low -risk” profiles – even when combining several factors.
The INCA recommends today Targeted surveillancewith abdominal examinations and regular monitoring, as soon as Two risk factors are brought together.
Pancreatic cancer: good reflexes to adopt now
There is not yet generalized screening for this cancer, but certain gestures – simple – can make a real difference:
-
Inform his doctor In the event of a combination of risk factors.
-
Request an abdominal ultrasound or scanner If digestive disorders persist.
-
Test known genetic mutations in families at risk (BRCA2, etc.).
-
Monitor any newly diagnosed diabetesespecially after 50 years.
-
Adapt your lifestyle : Storage of smoking, anti-inflammatory food, physical activity.
Programs like PRISMin Gustave Roussy, already explore Early detection tools for these targeted profiles. The future of prevention goes through there.
© Shutterstock
Often diagnosed late, pancreatic cancer has one of the lowest survival rates in France, despite well -known risk profiles.
