Cut Your Risk for Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer has the highest death rate of any cancer, with mortality approaching 99%. By the time it’s diagnosed, it’s almost always too advanced to do anything about it. So identifying risk factors to prevent pancreatic cancer is a priority for health officials.
Cigarette smoking is considered to be the biggest avoidable risk factor. Limiting exposure to certain pesticides, dyes and chemicals related to gasoline is also important, as well as maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly.
Nutrition plays a role, too. A new study adds to evidence that a diet high in whole grains can confer some protection against pancreatic cancer.
The study, done at the University of California at San Francisco, found that people who ate two or more servings a day of whole grains such as brown rice, popcorn, bulgur, and oatmeal showed a 40% reduced risk of pancreatic cancer compared to whose consuming less than one serving a day.
Dietary fiber was also associated with reduced risk. People getting the most fiber (more than 26 grams a day) had a 35% reduced risk of pancreatic cancer compared to people getting the least (less than 15 grams).
High-fiber grains may reduce cancer risk by modifying insulin metabolism, by reducing cholesterol and inflammation in the body, and by providing antioxidants and folate, researchers say.
Other dietary factors associated with decreased risk for pancreatic cancer are eating more fruits and vegetables, less red meat, supplementing with vitamin D, and getting adequate vitamins B12 and B6.
