Pancreatic cancer is fundamentally a disease caused by damage to the DNA (mutation).  These mutations can be inherited or they can be acquired as we age.  The cancer begins when abnormal cells grow  out of control within the pancreas. 95% of pancreatic cancers are classified as exocrine tumors because they begin in the exocrine cells that produce enzymes to aid in digestion.  The exact cause of pancreatic cancer is not yet well understood.  However, there are certain risk factors that may increase the likelihood that an individual will develop pancreatic cancer such as smoking, age, family history of certain cancers (colon, hereditary pancreatitis) and diabetes.  For more information on pancreatic cancer go visit pancan.org,  jhu.edu, or affpc.org.

 

Pancreatic cancer is fundamentally a disease caused by damage to the DNA (mutation).  These mutations can be inherited or they can be acquired as we age.  The cancer begins when abnormal cells grow  out of control within the pancreas. 95% of pancreatic cancers are classified as exocrine tumors because they begin in the exocrine cells that produce enzymes to aid in digestion.  The exact cause of pancreatic cancer is not yet well understood.  However, there are certain risk factors that may increase the likelihood that an individual will develop pancreatic cancer such as smoking, age, family history of certain cancers (colon, hereditary pancreatitis) and diabetes.  For more information on pancreatic cancer go visit pancan.org,  jhu.edu, or affpc.org.

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