While there's no definitive way to prevent the development of pancreatic cancer, certain steps can help you minimize your risk. As the prognosis for pancreatic cancer is almost never good, even when it's caught early on, preventive measures can be crucial.
No Smoking
Smoking is the single greatest risk factor for developing pancreatic cancer. Not smoking, or quitting immediately if you do, is the best way to reduce your risk of cancer of the pancreas.
Healthy Weight
After smoking, being overweight is the next greatest risk factor for pancreatic cancer. By maintaining a healthy weight, you can minimize your risk. Regular exercise, both aerobic and weight training, will help keep body fat low and also aid in the functioning of your immune and digestive systems (of which the pancreas is a part).
Healthy Diet
A diet rich in fiber and antioxidants is a powerful way to help prevent pancreatic cancer. Eating nuts, whole grains, fruit and vegetables gives your body the nutritional tools it needs to fight cancer, especially in digestive organs like the pancreas.
Vitamin D
Evidence reported in USA Today suggests that consuming high levels (600 international units daily) of vitamin D can reduce your risk of developing pancreatic cancer by up to 40 percent. Patients tested who consumed less than 150 IU of vitamin D per day had the highest incidence of pancreatic cancer.
Resveratrol
Resveratrol, a compound found in grapes, grape juice and most concentrated in red wine, was found in a study by Northwestern University's Medical School to be a powerful pancreatic cancer preventive.
Risk Factors
While some risk factors for pancreatic cancer, like those mentioned above, are within your control, there are other risk factors that are not. These include a genetic disposition toward cancer, a history of pancreatitis, old age and being African-American.
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