Huge concern over ‘frightening’ 200% rise in cases of cancer with 5-year survival rate – know the warning signs
A ‘FRIGHTENING’ rise in young women developing deadly pancreatic cancer has lead to concern among experts, who aren’t sure what’s driving the increase.
Cases of the cancer – which has a five-year survival rate of just 5 per cent – have surged by 200 per cent in women under the age of 25 in the last 30 years.
Overall rates of the disease have also risen by 17 per cent since the early 1990s, MailOnline reported.
Pancreatic Cancer UK noted that cases of pancreatic cancer have historically been low in women aged 24 and younger, so any rise in these will lead to a steep percentage increase.
But Anna Jewell, director of support, research and influencing for the charity, told Sun Health: “There has been an increase in the number of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer over the last 25 years.
“What is driving this increase isn’t entirely clear at present.
“It could be down to a number of factors, including an ageing population, an increase in lifestyle risk factors, or it could be due to better detection and awareness of the disease.”
Meanwhile, Professor Karol Sikora, an oncologist with over 40 years’ experience, told MailOnline that researchers have “no idea” what’s behind the “frightening” surge in pancreatic cancer cases.
“It is probably something to do with dietary change over the last 20 years,” he said.
“Fortunately pancreatic cancer is rare in the young but it is a bit worrying. It shows that we just don’t have all the answers.”
Prof Sikora added that the UK wasn’t alone in seeing this concerning trend.
Research suggests that there’s also been a increase in people developing pancreatic cancer in the US.
Figures from Cancer Research UK (CRUK) about 17 Brits out of every 100,000 will get pancreatic cancer each year.
This is up from 14 people per year about 30 years ago.
A marked increase in pancreatic cancer cases has been seen in young women, a group which historically sees low rates of the disease.
The MailOnline analysis revealed that cancer incidence rates in girls and women up to the age of 24 have seen a whopping 208 per cent increase.
Cases also increased in women aged 25 to 49 by 34 per cent.
Reassuringly, these large percentage increases don’t translate to a large numbers in cases.
For example, no more than 1.5 women aged up to 24 out of every 100,000 get the disease each year, CRUK figures suggest.
Pancreatic cancer cases in boys and young men up to the age of 24 didn’t see an equivalent spike.
As for mean aged 25 to 49, incidences rose in line with the general population by 17 per cent.
Who is more at risk of pancreatic cancer?
Ms Jewel from Pancreatic Cancer UK explained that the disease is more common in older people, with the incidence rates increasing along with age.
“There is no current research or evidence to support that there are increasing rates in younger populations or any factors that would be driving this,” she told Sun Health.
“Whilst older people have a greater chance of having pancreatic cancer, younger people can still develop pancreatic cancer.
“To increase survival rates from pancreatic cancer we need to ensure everyone, at all ages, has fast access to diagnosis and treatment.”
Emerging research suggests that incidences are higher for black men and women and those who live in deprived areas, Ms Jewel added.
“What is driving these differences isn’t entirely clear but we do know that societal, economic and cultural barriers to accessing healthcare services, as well differences in health service provision can make a difference.”
As availability of data on pancreatic cancer has been poor, Ms Jewel said the charity would be undertaking further research and “calling for improved data collection and availability to understand what needs to happen to reduce health inequalities for pancreatic cancer”.
What should I do if I have pancreatic cancer symptoms?
The pancreas is a gland that produces digestive juices and hormones which is located just behind your stomach.
“Symptoms of pancreatic cancer are vague and often associated with common, less serious diseases,” Ms Jewel said.
“The majority of people who experience some, or all, of the symptoms such as indigestion, stomach or back pain, sudden or unexplained weight-loss, or changes to their poo will not have pancreatic cancer.”
Symptoms of pancreatic cancer
PANCREATIC cancer doesn't always cause symptoms in its early stages.
As the cancer grows and you do begin to show signs, these may come and go and be unspecific, making it hard to diagnose, according to Pancreatic Cancer UK.
Common symptoms include:
- Indigestion – a painful, burning feeling in your chest with an unpleasant taste in your mouth
- Tummy or back pain – it may start as general discomfort or tenderness in the tummy area and spread to the back, which get worse lying down and feel better is you sit forward
- Diarrhoea and constipation – see a GP if you have runny poos for more than seven days, especially if you’ve lost weight as well
- Steatorrhoea – pale, oily poo that’s bulky, smells horrible and floats, making it hard to flush
- Losing a lot of weight without meaning to
- Jaundice – yellow skin and eyes, as well as dark pee, pale poo and itchy skin
But she encouraged peopled who have symptoms for longer that four weeks to get checked over by their GP.
“Anyone who experiences jaundice – which is yellowing of the eyes and/or skin, as well as itchy skin – should go directly to A&E,” she added.
Ms Jewel suggested keeping track of your symptoms in a notebook, as they tend to come and go.
“If anyone is concerned about symptoms they are experiencing but they aren’t sure how best to approach their GP, we have a guide on the Pancreatic Cancer UK website which may help.”