World Pancreatic Cancer Day is celebrated on the third Thursday of November every year. November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. Wearing purple and spreading the awareness on World Pancreatic Cancer Day and this month about pancreatic cancer symptoms and risk factors are the two of the ways you can take action to show your support to the cause. Pancreatic cancer begins in the tissues of your pancreas

While the exact cause of pancreatic cancer is not known, certain risk factors are strongly linked to the disease, including tobacco smoking and obesity. Also, people with a hereditary cancer syndrome or specific genetic mutations have a higher risk of developing the disease. It’s hard to diagnose pancreatic cancer in its earlier, at more treatable stages. Therefore It’s called a silent killer that often goes undiagnosed until it’s too late. Pancreatic cancer symptoms are so subtle, people may ignore them. Each pancreatic cancer tumor is different, which may affect treatment options.

There are two different types of pancreatic cancer, depending on whether it affects the exocrine or endocrine functions. The survival rates for pancreatic cancer have been improving in recent decades. Research and new treatments are expanding the average five-year survival rate for people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. However, the disease is still considered difficult to cure. Because pancreatic cancer typically does not cause symptoms until the cancer is in advanced stages

However, some lifestyle changes and overall health approaches may reduce your risk. These include:

• Quit smoking: Smoking increases your risk for several types of cancer, including pancreatic cancer.
• Drink less: Heavy drinking may increase your risk for chronic pancreatitis and possibly pancreatic cancer.
• Maintain a healthy weight: Being overweight or obese is a leading risk factor for several types of cancer.

Bruce Gordon passed away at the age of 54 on Sept. 29, 2017. He had been diagnosed with terminal Stage 4 pancreatic cancer.