Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is caused by malignant (cancer) cells that form in the tissues of the pancreas.

The pancreas is a gland about 6 inches long that is shaped like a thin pear lying on its side. The wider end of the pancreas is called the head, the middle section is called the body, and the narrow end is called the tail. The pancreas lies behind the stomach and in front of the spine. Diagnosis is difficult because of the location of the organ in the body. In addition the cancer does not usually produce symptoms in the initial stages, so that the disease tends to be diagnosed when already advanced. There is now greater focus on this cancer and more effort is being made to identify this cancer early.

There is already a growing body of organisations supporting pancreatic cancer patients and links can be found here: http://www.worldpancreaticcancerday.org/#partners

In addition Pancreatic Cancer Europe has developed a number of resources that are available in most European languages, these can be found at: http://www.pancreaticcancereurope.eu/country-information/

Pancreatic Cancer Action focus on improving early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and improving the quality of life for those affected by pancreatic cancer: https://pancreaticcanceraction.org/about-pancreatic-cancer/symptoms/