Courtesy of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive and complex disease. At Roswell Park, our experts treat it every day. This rare, but on-the-rise cancer, demands comprehensive care from a team of specialists — surgical, medical, and radiation oncologists — who focus on patients with this diagnosis. Recognized by the National Pancreas Foundation as a designated NPF Center, Roswell Park is a premier facility for pancreatic cancer treatment.

Warning Signs.

Like many cancers, pancreatic cancer does not typically produce any early warning signs. The few symptoms that may appear are often nonspecific and resemble those of other illnesses, such as diabetes, which is why pancreatic cancer is often diagnosed at later stages. Symptoms may include jaundice, yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, itchy skin; dark urine or pale stools that float in the toilet, or change in bowel movements; loss of appetite or indigestion (heartburn, pain, fullness after eating); unexplained weight loss; fatigue or general feeling of malaise; middle back pain that is unrelieved by changing position; non-specific upper belly pain; or new or recent worsening of diabetes.

Pancreatic Cancer Screening.

Screening for pancreatic cancer focuses on people at highest risk for the disease. Because no one test can detect the disease reliably, Roswell Park’s Pancreatic Cancer Screening Program works to develop a screening plan based on your personal risk. Screening may include blood tests, including a metabolic panel and tests to measure your levels of certain antigens and other biomarkers; endoscopic ultrasound and/or MRI every six months; genetic screening; and periodic evaluation.

This program may be right for you if you have 2 or more first-degree relatives with a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer; 3 or more blood relatives (with at least one first-degree relative affected) with a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer; a diagnosis of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, Familial Atypical Multiple Mole Melanoma (FAMMM/CDKN2A/P16); a diagnosis of a genetic syndrome or mutation that increases risk for pancreatic cancer, such as Lynch syndrome, ATM or PALB2, or BRCA, with a first-degree or second-degree relative with pancreatic cancer.

Take Steps to Prevent Pancreatic Cancer.

While you cannot change your family history or the genes you were born with, you can take steps to reduce or eliminate other risk factors.

  • Quit smoking. Kicking the habit helps lower your risk for pancreas and many other cancers. Call the New York State Smokers’ Quitline (1-866-NY-QUITS or 1-866-697-8487). This free and confidential service, housed at Roswell Park, provides effective smoking cessation services to New Yorkers who want to stop smoking.
  • Avoid alcohol or drink in moderation. Limit drinking to no more than 1 drink a day for women; 2 drinks a day for men.
  • Maintain a healthy weight. In addition to maintaining a healthy weight, reduce your intake of high-fat foods.
  • Avoid exposure to toxic chemicals. Exposure to various chemicals and heavy metals has been associated with risk of different cancers.

Learn more about pancreatic cancer at www.roswellpark.org/cancer/pancreatic. To make an appointment at Roswell, call 1-800-767-9355.