Know Your Pancreas
What organ produces insulin and digestive enzymes?
The pancreas
*it helps regulate blood glucose and digest food
What tobacco-related behavior increases pancreatic cancer risk?
Cigarette smoking
*quitting smoking is an important risk-reduction action
What is the medical term for yellowing of the skin and eyes?
*it can occur when a pancreatic tumor blocks bile flow
Is routine pancreatic cancer screening recommended for average-risk adults?
*there is no recommended routine population screening test.
What is the number one important lifestyle change to reduce pancreatic cancer risk?
Quit smoking
*smoking cessation is an established modifiable risk factor
What is the most common type of pancreatic cancer?
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
*it develops from cell lining in the pancreatic ducts
Increasing age is what type of risk factor?
*risk increases with age
What type of pain is commonly associated with pancreatic cancer?
*pain can result from pressure on nearby structures and nerves
Name one imaging method used to evaluate suspected pancreatic cancer
CT scan, MRI/MRCP, ERCP, or endoscopic ultrasound
*these tests help identify pancreatic abnormalities
Name two healthy health behaviors that may help reduce the cancer risk
maintain healthy weight, exercise regularly, limit alcohol, avoid tobacco, avoid a high-fat diet, manage diabetes
*these support general health and may reduce risk
Which body systems are most directly affected by pancreatic cancer?
The digestive and endocrine systems
*pancreas produces digestive enzymes and blood-sugar regulating hormones
Name one medical condition associated with increased pancreatic cancer risk
*these conditions are associated with higher risk, but do not automatically qualify someone for surveillance.
What changes in urine and stool color may occur?
dark urine and pale or clay colored stools
*bile duct obstruction can cause these changes
What does EUS stand for?
Endoscopic ultrasound
*an ultrasound probe on an endoscope produces detailed images of the pancreas
What should a patient do if they develop unexplained jaundice?
Seek prompt medical evaluation
*jaundice may indicate bile duct obstruction or another serious condition
What part of the pancreas contains more than half of pancreatic tumors?
The head of the pancreas
* tumors here may obstruct the common bile duct
How an inherited genetic changes affect pancreatic cancer risk?
The can increase a person's lifetime risk
*certain inherited variants, including BRCA2, PALB2, and CDKN2A, are associated with increased risk.
Name two unexplained changes in weight or eating that should be evaluated.
*cancer can interfere with digestion and metabolism
What procedure can obtain tissue to confirm pancreatic cancer?
A biopsy, often guided by endoscopic ultrasound.
*pathology examines the cells for cancer; tissue confirmation is important in many treatment pathways
What is palliative care?
*it can be provided alongside cancer-directed treatment
Why is pancreatic cancer often diagnosed at an advanced stage?
*there is also no recommended routine screening for average-risk people
Discuss genetic counseling and high-risk surveillance eligibility with a healthcare provider.
*family history can identify people who may benefit from specialized risk assessment
A patient has jaundice, itching, and greasy pale stools. What possible complication explains these findings?
*blocked bile flow causes bilirubin buildup (jaundice and itching) and reduces bile reaching the intestines (greasy pale stools)
Which patients may qualify for pancreatic cancer surveillance with MRI/MRCP or EUS?
*eligibility is determined through individualized specialist risk assessment.
A patient is scared by a pancreatic cancer diagnosis. What are two patient-centered nursing actions?
*respecting autonomy and providing understandable information supports shared decision-making