• Question: i read how you said pancreatic cancer is difficult to cure, is there a specific age range or type of people that usually get pancreatic cancer? Also is there anything we can do to provent or reduce the risks of getting pancreatic cancer?

    Asked by elmo97 to Andrew, Emma, Marianne on 17 Jun 2010 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Andrew Maynard

      Andrew Maynard answered on 14 Jun 2010:

      Hi elmo97

      Hope this was for Marianne (or one of the other scientists) because this is way outside my area of expertise. Let’s see what they say.

    • Photo: anon

      anon answered on 14 Jun 2010:

      Hi Elmo. I guess Marianne said that? It’s definitely true. The problem is that the cancer is often found only when it’s been there a while and had a chance to do lots of damage and move to other organs. It’s usually older folk that get it (older than 50) Average age about 69.

      If you don’t smoke, drink only in moderation and eat a healthy diet (ie avoid obesity) you’ll have done alot to avoid this cancer. The rest of the risk is down to genes and we can’t do much about them yet. Maybe marianne will get it sorted out.

    • Photo: Marianne Baker

      Marianne Baker answered on 17 Jun 2010:

      Hey elmo97,

      Sorry it’s taken me ages to answer these, I only just worked out how to view all my unanswered questions! I was answering new ones as they came up and haven’t had time to keep up…

      So, yes, preventing. Alcohol abuse can be a factor in the development of pancreatic cancer (and many others) so as always it’s best to drink responsibly. Plus the usual keeping a healthy weight, diet and not smoking.

      Here’s some more info from CRUK:
      http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/cancerstats/types/pancreas/riskfactors/

      It’s most common in the over-50s and is more common in men.

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