Cancer Services will host a survivorship luncheon for pancreatic cancer survivors and their family members on Monday, January 30 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. For reservations, contact Natalie Depp at (225) 927-2273.
Every Sunday, Cancer Services publishes a Cancer Q&A in the Health Section of The Baton Rouge Advocate.
Q: What are some risks for pancreatic cancer?
A: According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), it is not known what causes pancreatic cancer. However, studies have shown that if one or more of the following applies, you have a greater risk of developing pancreatic cancer. If you:
- are over 60 years old;
- smoke (smokers have 3 times the risk);
- have diabetes;
- are male;
- are African-American;
- have had a mother, father, sister, or brother with pancreatic cancer;
- have a family history of colon or ovarian cancer;
- have chronic pancreatitis.
However, there are instances where people with none of these risk factors get pancreatic cancer and people who have some of these risk factors may not get pancreatic cancer. It is important to assess your risk with your doctor.
For more information about pancreatic cancer, contact Courtney Britton, librarian at Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge at (225) 927-2273 or visit the Resource Center at 550 Lobdell Avenue. Also check out the PANCAN website for more information.
