Pancreatic cancer expected to become bigger killer

AP

(AP) WASHINGTON — The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network has released a report that shows that pancreatic cancer will move from the fourth to the second-leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. by 2020, and possibly as early as 2015.

Among other things, the report notes that it's the only major cancer killer where the incidence and death rates are expected to rise over the next twenty years.

The report states that there is currently a bill being debated in Congress, also known as the Pancreatic Cancer Research and Education Act, which would help reverse the current trend. The bill would create a long-term comprehensive strategy for developing early diagnostics and treatment options that will increase the survival rate for pancreatic cancer patients.

[ilysmejd]

WOW - you are all kinda missing the point. And the most likely reason that the report was released today, because the Pancreatic Cancer Research and Education Act is going to committee today for mark up (S.362/HR.733). You can speculate all you want on what causes PC - but no one knows for sure - the usual suspects like EVERY other cancer, smoking, diet, alcohol, familial link, etc. So, if you're gonna be snarky, you better hope PC doesn't come into your life - cause guess what - you WILL learn a lot more about it. Not because you want to - but because you will HAVE to.

[John782011]

Since the study is so poorly reported, I will put in my two cents. The deaths due to the leading cancers are rapidly dropping every year. Since Pancreatic cancer has such a high mortality rate and has yet to find a cure that reduces the survival below 50%, it will continue to grow into one of the leading causes of cancer deaths. So even if rates in the population stay stable (cases per 100,000) the growth of the population and the other cures will make this come true.

[waynenipper]

A poorly written article ... no suggestion of causes.

[bigmanfrommaine]

So is it some cause such as diet that is increasing this risk or is it just the fact that other cancers are becoming more treatable due to technology?

[you_MAY_be_right]

Good question bigman. I would place my $$ on diet and obesity. If those will come down then fewer likely cases develop.

[gjc1n1]

I try to eat only naturally grown foods (ex. apples vs. apple pie). Yet there are some things that are difficult to purchase that way such as bread. Sure you could go out and buy the ingredients and a bread machine and bake it but who has the time or money? Several years ago, I switched to 100% whole wheat bread for health reasons. Read the labels on that one. I've yet to find one that does not have high fructose corn syrup in it. If anyone knows a brand that is not loaded with high fructose corn syrup or sugar, let me know. The only way to stop this invasion into our diets is if the governmant bans it as an additive.

[bramletabercrombie]

Just don't eat any bread. Whole wheat or otherwise. It's completely unneeded in our diet.

[gjc1n1]

Bread is just one example of processed food that contains high fructose corn syrup. It's impossible to totally eliminate all processed foods from our diets unless you live alone on an uninhabited island. Also, bread provides many needed nutrients such as all the Vitamin B's, folic acid and let's not forget the all important fiber.

[bramletabercrombie]

Is something like oscar mayer turkey slices considered processed meats?

[joseph70lee]

Yes, Oscar Meyer turkey slices are processed, and is considered junk food. The majority of food that comes in a package is processed and/or highly refined. The general rule is to avoid packaged foods with no more than 5 to 10 ingredients.

[jtdev1]

So processed meats and diets high in sugar (especially fructose) are a leading cause of this cancer...

So Hotdogs and anything with High Fructose Corn Syrup are out...