Pancreatic cancer is deadly, many Indians vulnerable: Experts
Steve Jobs died of complications from pancreatic cancer. In India, four to six of 1 lakh people suffer from the rare form of cancer.
Apple co-founder Steve Jobs died of complications from pancreatic cancer on Thursday. In India, four to six of 1 lakh people suffer from the rare form of cancer. Health experts said there has been a rise in people suffering from pancreatic cancer in India, especially in urban cities like Mumbai. They warn that it might become a lifestyle disease soon.
"People eat fatty food which is one of the major causes of pancreatic cancer," said Dr Shailesh Shrikhande, head of gastro-intestinal surgery department at Tata hospital. He said lung and pancreatic cancer accounts for 35 per cent of cancer cases in the city.
Pancreatic cancer has a negligible survival rate and is ranked fourth in cancer-related deaths in the US.
"Pancreatic cancer is of two types - neuroendocrine cancer, a less lethal form which Jobs suffered from, and classic pancreatic which is deadly. There are more case of the former in India. The tumours are located on the head of the pancreas. They block the bile duct and cause jaundice," said Dr Shrikhande.
"We are certainly seeing a rising number of pancreatic cancer cases. Smoking and alcohol are major causes of pancreatic cancer which is more dangerous than oral cancer," said senior oncologist Dr Anil Heroor.