Greene County News

FAIRBORN — Wright State Physicians Surgical Oncology is joining the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network in waging hope in the fight against pancreatic cancer during the month of November, Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.

Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. It is one of the deadliest cancers, with a five-year survival rate of 8 percent, according to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

While the exact causes of pancreatic cancer are not known, researchers and doctors know that the risk factors include family history, diabetes, chronic pancreatitis and hereditary pancreatitis, smoking, race, age, gender, diet and obesity.

“People with pancreatic cancer may experience only vague symptoms such as abdominal or back pain, weight loss, jaundice, loss of appetite, nausea, changes in stool and diabetes,” said Minia Hellan, M.D., a surgeon with Wright State Physicians Surgical Oncology who specializes in hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancer. “Anyone who is experiencing any of these unexplained symptoms should contact their primary care physician.”

Treatment options include chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation therapy and immunotherapy. If a pancreatic tumor has not spread beyond the pancreas and is not affecting major arteries, surgery is an option.

For more information about Wright State Physicians Surgical Oncology, call 937-424-2469 or visit wrightstatephysicians.org/oncology.