Introduction
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly forms of cancer because it’s often not detected until it’s too late. As many as 80% of people with this disease die within five years after diagnosis, according to the American Cancer Society. Because there are no reliable screening tests for pancreatic cancer, it’s important that you know what signs and symptoms to look for in order to catch the disease early. It can be difficult to tell whether persistent symptoms are caused by something benign or serious—but if you suspect you might have pancreatic cancer, don’t wait! See your doctor right away so they can help figure out what’s going on and devise a treatment plan if necessary.
Go to your doctor if you’re having any unusual symptoms or if something just doesn’t feel right.
If you’ve been experiencing any of the following symptoms, it’s important to go to your doctor as soon as possible:
- Indigestion or heartburn that doesn’t go away
- Feeling full after eating only a small amount of food
- Pain in the upper abdomen that may radiate to the back or shoulder blades
- Nausea and vomiting
If you have concerns about your health it’s important to see a doctor. If you’re worried about pancreatic cancer, know that most people don’t notice symptoms until their condition has advanced significantly. Early detection is crucial for survival rates, so don’t wait for symptoms to disappear on their own—go see a doctor if something feels off!
Reduce your alcohol intake by avoiding hard liquor, which has the highest alcohol content, and drinking only in moderation.
While it is unclear whether alcohol consumption actually increases the risk of pancreatic cancer, it is well known that excessive alcohol consumption can lead to serious health conditions and even death. For this reason, it’s important to keep close tabs on how much you’re drinking each day.
The National Cancer Institute recommends that men limit their daily intake to two drinks per day (and 14 for the week), while women should drink one drink per day (seven for the week). These limits apply even if you don’t drink every single day—the goal is simply not to exceed those quotas if possible. Your doctor will be able to provide more specific advice based on your personal health history and any other existing conditions.
Keep your BMI below 30.
In the United States, BMI is calculated by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by their height in meters squared. If you’re using pounds and inches, multiply your weight by 703, then divide that number by your height in inches squared.
You can use this calculator to find out your BMI calculation: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/BMI/bmicalc.htm
A healthy BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). For example, if you weigh 150 pounds and are 5 feet 9 inches tall—that’s about 69 kilograms for a woman and about 77 kilograms for a man—your BMI would be 22 or 23 based on these calculations: 69 divided by (69 times 69) = 1; then 23 divided by 69 = 0
Consider yourself a non-smoker as soon as you quit.
If you are a smoker, the American Cancer Society recommends that you quit as soon as possible. Smoking is one of the major risk factors for pancreatic cancer, and it is believed that quitting reduces your risk by half. Your risk of developing pancreatic cancer goes down even more with time after quitting smoking. If you have never smoked or have already quit, then congratulations! You don’t need to do anything else to reduce your risk of developing this disease.
If you are a smoker and want help quitting, there are many resources available from the government and other organizations like the American Cancer Society. The National Cancer Institute has developed an online program called “QuitGuide” which can guide anyone through their journey towards becoming smoke-free. It provides interactive tools such as personalized goal setting based on how much money someone wants to save each month by not buying cigarettes anymore; tracking progress through graphs and charts showing how far along they’ve come in their quest; tips on how not only stop smoking but also avoid resuming old habits like lighting up when stressed out or feeling bored; advice on ways not only ensure success but also maintain long-term well-being while doing so–such as exercising regularly while avoiding unhealthy eating patterns (like skipping meals altogether).
Another fantastic resource is SmokeFreeTrial—a free trial subscription service offering individualized coaching sessions led by trained coaches who specialize in helping people stop smoking permanently! These coaches offer daily calls throughout every stage of withdrawal until someone feels ready stop using nicotine altogether—and beyond too: if needed!
Eat more fruits and vegetables.
The ADA recommends that you eat at least 3 servings of fruit and 4 to 13 servings of vegetables daily.
Fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They are also low in calories, high in fiber and water, and can help you feel full. They’re good for your skin, hair, nails, teeth and bones — as well as for your digestive system because they have roughage that helps keep things moving along smoothly (but don’t forget about insoluble fiber).
Fill up on fiber.
Fiber is important for digestive health. Dietary fiber helps you feel full and eat less, which can be beneficial for diabetes management. Fiber also lowers cholesterol levels and blood sugar levels. Fiber can be found in beans, fruits, vegetables, whole grains—and more!
Eat more healthy fats.
Healthy fats are a crucial part of a healthy diet. They help the body absorb nutrients and maintain cell membranes and nerve cells, among other things. The best sources of healthy fats are avocados, butter or ghee (clarified butter), olive oil, coconut oil, nuts and seeds.
You should eat about 25 to 35 percent of your daily calories as healthy fat. For example: If you need 1,800 calories per day to maintain your weight, that means 325 to 425 calories from fat each day—about 55 grams by the most recent USDA guidelines (which have changed over time).
Even if you don’t get pancreatic cancer, these recommendations can help you lead a healthier life!
Whether or not you are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, a healthy diet is an important part of preventing disease in the first place. A healthy lifestyle can help people avoid heart disease, diabetes and even certain types of cancer.
For example:
- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables (five portions a day)
- Limit added sugars
- Cut down on salt intake (less than 6g per day)
Conclusion
If you’re reading this and wondering if your habits are putting you at risk for pancreatic cancer, the good news is that there are plenty of ways to reduce your risk. Most of these recommendations will also help you live a healthier lifestyle overall—which is never a bad thing! So go ahead and give them a try.