Pancreas and Causes of Pancreatic Cancer

The pancreas is a gland about five inches long located behind the stomach.

It is surrounded by the liver, gallbladder, and small intestine. The pancreas has two main functions. One is to produce digestive fluids needed to neutralize stomach acids and break down food. The second is to produce hormones, such as insulin, that are needed to metabolize sugar.

Pancreatic cancer occurs when abnormal (cancerous) cells grow in the tissues of the pancreas. Ninety-five percent of pancreatic cancers occur in the ducts that carry pancreatic juices.

A rare type of pancreatic cancer, called cystadenocarcinoma, begins in the cells that produce insulin and other hormones.

While little is known about the cause, the following factors may increase the risk of getting pancreatic cancer.

They include:
(1) exposure to cancer-causing agents;
(2) cigarette smoking;
(3) a high fat, low fiber diet;
(4) a diet high in foods containing food additives;
(5) and diabetes.

Although the link has not been proven, people who work with petroleum and certain chemicals used in the dry cleaning industry should follow the safety guidelines for handling these chemicals.

Source: http://www.hmc.psu.edu/healthinfo/pq/pancreaticcancer.htm