Cancer is one of the most widespread and lethal pathologies in the world and in our country. The most common are in the colon and breast, but unfortunately the list of affected body parts is still long. Some cancers are rarer or more aggressive than others. This is why it is important to intervene with prevention and widespread knowledge of the symptoms. But what if there were no symptoms? In fact, there is a type without specific symptoms and which is therefore often identified too late. This is the silent cancer that affects more and more people over 50. In fact, the change in our lifestyle favors the increase of cases of this disease from year to year. The AIRC has released the numbers and they are alarming to say the least.
This is the silent cancer that affects more and more people over 50
In 2017, there were 13,000 new cases of this silent tumor in our country. This corresponds to approximately 4% of cases diagnosed each year. The numbers, however, are constantly growing. In fact, there were only 8,602 new cases in 2002, thus representing an increase of 59%.
This exponential growth is due to our lifestyle. In fact, our diet is increasingly distant from the Mediterranean one and we have increasingly sedentary habits. Our entire body, including the pancreas, is affected. And this is precisely the organ affected by this silent tumor. It is located in the abdomen, between the spine and the stomach.
But why do we speak of a silent tumor? Because its symptoms are not specific and we can attribute them to much milder illnesses and illnesses. Sometimes those affected lose weight or appetite, feel nauseous or vomit. They may also have yellowish skin and eyes and have abdominal or back pain. Even weakness and diabetes can be a symptom.
Risk factors
We therefore understand that this tumor is very difficult to detect. Consequently, we only notice it when the disease is in an advanced state. Hence, it is a tumor that makes many victims. However, this should not lead us to think that we have pancreatic cancer when these symptoms occur, otherwise we would not be able to live peacefully. In fact, there are people who are more at risk than others. First of all, pancreatic cancer strikes for the most part from the age of 50 onwards.
Other risk factors are not yet 100% ascertained, but among them, however, there are other diseases such as type 2 diabetes or rare diseases such as von Hippel-Lindau syndrome. The consumption of alcohol and cigarettes would also be risk factors. As well as exposure to agricultural or industrial solvents, or petroleum derivatives. The link between obesity and pancreatic cancer seems to be more evident. Not only that, “Few people know that to prevent breast and colon cancer this is the most important factor.”
Diet based on animal fats also appears to increase the risk of this disease. In fact, a waistline beyond these limits would increase the risk of high cholesterol and cancer. However, those who should really apply for specific tests are those people who are familiar. Therefore, if in our family there have been cases of pancreatic cancer (but also of the colon and breast), we can ask for a consultation with the doctor.