Pancreatic cancer rarely causes symptoms until it’s quite advanced, so most people have widespread disease at the time they’re diagnosed. Only about 1 in 5 have a tumor that can be surgically removed. Even among that subset, pancreatic cancer rebounds 75% of the time.
There is no guaranteed way to prevent pancreatic cancer, but adopting a healthy lifestyle can help reduce the risk. Here are some tips to promote overall wellness:
- Maintain a Balanced Diet – High consumption of sugary drinks, fats, red and processed meats may increase the risk of developing pancreatic cancer.
About 20% of obese people have an increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer. The risk is even higher in people who have been obese since childhood.
Eating healthy and maintaining a healthy weight may help lower your risk for pancreatic cancer. A balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits and vegetables, choose whole grains over processed grains, limit or avoid your intake of red and processed meats, alcohol consumption, and reduce your intake of sugary and high-fat foods.
- Stay Physically Active – Make physical activity a regular part of your daily routine. Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity per day.
Regular exercise has many benefits for those with pancreatic cancer. Exercise can improve mood, energy levels, and overall physical health. Types of exercise recommended include walking, swimming, and yoga. Gradually incorporating exercise into a daily routine can help to build strength and endurance.
- Quit Smoking – Smoking is a known risk factor for pancreatic cancer. People who smoke are two times more likely to develop pancreatic cancer compared to those who have never smoked before. About 20-35% of pancreatic cancers are caused by cigarette smoking.
Quitting smoking can have many benefits, including reducing the risk of cancer recurrence. Strategies to quit smoking include nicotine replacement therapy, counseling, and support groups.
- Manage Stress – Stress can have a negative impact on cancer treatment.
Techniques for stress management such as meditation, deep breathing, and yoga can help to reduce stress and improve overall well-being.
- Get Regular Check-Ups – Regular follow-up appointments are important for those with pancreatic cancer. Monitoring for recurrence is essential for early detection and treatment. Support resources for cancer survivors can provide emotional support and information about treatment options.
Did you know Pancreatic cancer is expected to be the 2nd leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. by 2030? We want to change that.
We encourage you to join us in supporting pancreatic cancer patients and their families through early detection and prevention. We stand with all people and their families who are affected by pancreatic cancer.
Who will benefit from the funds we raise for the PRECEDE Consortium?
By donating to TrovaNOW, you can help PRECEDE Consortium determine who is at elevated risk for pancreatic cancer, better define that risk, and enroll those at elevated risk into state-of-the-art screening programs. With this large-scale cohort, we hope these studies will also lead to the validation of an early detection blood test and prevention clinical trials in the future.
At TrovaNOW, our mission is to raise funding for collaborative research for early detection and prevention – with the aim of increasing the 5-year survival rate from 12% to 50% within the next 10 years.
Visit www.trovanow.com to learn how you can get involved and donate today.
