The pancreas sits behind the stomach, deep inside the body, which makes it hard to know when cancer cells have taken hold there. Symptoms for pancreatic cancer are often subtle or non-specific like abdominal pain, back pain, or weight loss. These vague symptoms often go unchecked, but when more serious issues like jaundice and new onset of diabetes arise, the possibility of pancreatic cancer comes into focus. Only about 10% of cases involve family history, so for most patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, the exact cause is unclear. Research has shown the combination of certain risk factors (smoking, diabetes, and a poor diet) can increase the risk of pancreatic cancer. Learn more about pancreatic cancer.
