I consulted with a gastroenterologist this morning about the possibility of testing for pancreatic cancer because my father died of it in June 2021. The news wasn’t exactly heartening.
- The most reliable way to detect pancreatic cancer early is with a contrast CAT scan. This is expensive, most
capitalist death panelsinsurance providers won’t cover them for testing, and might uncover other issues that doctors then feel obligated to treat even if they aren’t bothering the patient. - Even if I could get coverage for a contrast CT scan, contrast material is in extremely short supply and reserved for emergencies. My situation doesn’t qualify as such.
- Ultrasound is also an option, and more likely to be covered, but external ultrasound isn’t nearly as accurate because the pancreas is nestled deep inside the abdomen. I don’t think he mentioned endoscopic ultrasound at all, but according to the American Cancer Society that isn’t used to screen for pancreatic cancer in the general public.
- Pancreatic cancer generally presents as painless jaundice, because of the tumor blocking the bile duct from the liver. However, this symptom may not occur if the tumor is located near the tail of the pancreas.
- A pancreatic tumor that doesn’t block the liver’s bile duct may present as pancreatitis because it’s blocking ducts leading out of the pancreas and into the small intestine.
- Pancreatic cancer diagnosed because of painless jaundice or pancreatitis is generally fairly advanced, with cancerous cells having spread to nearby blood vessels and lymph nodes.
- Though surgical treatment for pancreatic cancer is slowly becoming more common, most cases are treated with chemotherapy first because the pancreas is located near major blood vessels like the aorta and the inferior vena cava – neither of which you want a surgeon slicing open by mistake.
The advice I was given was to seek genetic counseling first. If I’m carrying genes that predispose me toward certain cancers, it’s easier to justify periodic screenings.
Guess I’d better eat more veggies, too. At least I’m not eating red meat regularly.