The number of cases of pancreatic cancer is increasingly increasing in women. The mortality rate too. For what ? Are there specific symptoms? What is risky age? The survival rate?
THE pancreatic cancer is the 7th most common cancer in women (The 9th in humans). Its incidence increases in a disturbing manner in them, especially because of the tagabism. And the mortality rate too. “”Pancreatic cancer is one of the rare increased cancers, Especially in women “ confirms Professor Renato Lupinacci, pancreatic and digestive surgeon at Ambroise-Paré Hospital (APHP-Université Paris Saclay). For what ? What are the Risk factors ? Are there any Specific symptoms ? What is thelife expectancy ? Age at diagnosis ? Answers.
What are the symptoms of pancreatic cancer in women?
“”There are no differences in clinical manifestations in men or women. The only difference lies in the risk factors for pancreatic cancer: the mutation of the BRCA gene, much more frequent in women and also associated with a predisposition to breast and ovarian cancer“. The symptoms of pancreatic cancer are long silent and not very specific, especially at the start of the disease. When the disease progresses, cancer can cause:
- Involuntary weight loss
- A loss of appetite
- Digestion disorders
- Unexplained fatigue
- A state of generalized weakness
- Abdominal and/or dorsal pain
- Yellowing of the skin and white of the eye (jaundice)
What is the average age at diagnosis in women?
“”Pancreatic cancer is most often diagnosed after the 70 years “replies Professor Lupinacci. In women, age at diagnosis is a little later than in men: 73 years old in women Against 70 years in humans.
What are the (specific) risk factors in women?
As with all cancers, there are genetic mutations that predispose to pancreatic cancer. “”The most frequent genetic mutations affect The BRCA2 geneAnd The CDKN2A gene (associated with skin melanoma). La change of the BRCA gene which is much more frequent in women and also associated with a predisposition to breast and ovary cancer“, explains our interlocutor. In addition to this risk factor specific to women, we can also cite smoking (active and passive), chronic pancreatitis, metabolic syndrome or obesity, which are risk factors common to both sexes.
Is pancreatic cancer in young women possible?
Pancreatic cancer occurs exceptionally before the age of 50. In 3/4 of cases, the diagnosis is made after 65 years. Pancreas cancer in young women (under 40) is very rare.
What is the life expectancy of pancreatic cancer in women?
Men as women, “pancreatic cancer is the most deadly digestive cancerreports our specialist. We have a global survival at 5 years old all stages combined less than 10%“”
Thank you to Pr Renato Lupinacci, pancreatic and digestive surgeon at Ambroise-Paré Hospital (APHP-Université Paris Saclay).
