Pancreas Cancer Research

Question: Has anyone had or know anyone with pancreatic cancer? My grandmother just got diagnosed with stage 3 pancreatic cancer. She will have radiation therapy once a day and wear a system on herself that delivers chemotherapy 24 hours a day. With stage 3, the cancer has surpassed her pancreas and also gone into her blood vessels in the surrounding areas. I am wondering if anyone has experienced this or knows someone who has? I know the outlook is not good- I did some research. But I am wondering what she will endure during this, and possibly a life expectency? (she did not want to be given an expectency from the doctor).

Answer: My Mother suffered from pancreatic cancer. She was diagnosed on April 1, 2008 and expired on July 30, 2008. She had stage IV pancreatic cancer with metastasis to her liver and lungs. It was devastating. She was doing reasonably well up to two days before she died. Talking, eating (but had to have the food removed from her belly with an in place NG tube) and doing well with her pain meds. Keep positive spirits with your Grandmother. Talk to her as much as she'll let you. Spend as much time as you can with her. My heart and thoughts go out to you and your family.

Question: Cancer stem cells are the true cause of cancer? Cancer stem cells were first postulated over 100 years ago. Biologist named Beard called then germ cells that produce cancer cells in 1902-1906 Then in 1994-97 researchers finally did isolate the first cancer stem cell, in leukemia. Since then cancer stem cells have been found in multiple cancers like breast, colon, pancreas, myeloma, and brain. Leading research centers for cancer stem cell work are Johns Hopkins, Stanford, and U Michigan. There are some clinical trials soon to start to target cancer stem cells. So, what is a cancer stem cell? it is the cell that produces the actually cancer cell. Stem cells divide into more stem cells and progenitor cells that go on to be mature cells. So the cancer stem cell will reproduce itself and more cancer cells. Current therapies do not kill the cancer stem cells, so they then can then produce more cancer cells. If you can kills of all cancer stem cells, then the cancer may be cured. T

Answer: Yes, true, that has recently resurfaced in cancer research. Some people are beginning to think that cancer relapses might actually be due especially to leftover cancer stem cells in the body (traditional chemo is not very discriminate and will also kill those, at least partially...). But I had not heard yet of stem-cell targetting agents. I will look into this. Seems interesting.

Question: Am I at higher risk for cancer now? PLEASE HELP!? My mom passed away not even four months ago from breast cancer. I just found out Saturday that my grandpa has less then a month to live because they just found cancer in his pancreas, liver, and spleen. I know that with breast cancer my mom's oncologist brought up the BRCA2 gene and something like it was rare but my mom had it. Upon researching pancreatic cancer I've found that it too can be caused by this BRCA2 gene. My grandpa that has it is my mom's dad. I'm only 24 I can't deal with this crap. I just lost my mom less then four months ago. Should I be worried about this gene though? Am I more at risk? I tried asking my grandpa's doctor but he said pancreatic cancer is not caused by that gene and that doctors don't ever test for pancreatic cancer. But everything I've found online says that it can be caused by it.

Answer: Although your grandfather’s doctor is correct about not testing for pancreatic cancer (because we do not have a screening test) he is absolutely wrong about the risk for it. I can’t believe a doctor would say such a thing! The BRAC-2 gene mutation not only increases your risk for breast cancer, in men and women, it also increases the risk for pancreatic, melanoma and ovarian cancers. Cancer is rarely hereditary, but this gene mutation accounts for 20% of breast cancers that are. If you have it, you are at risk. However, those with the BRAC-2 gene who do get cancer are older than those with the BRAC-1 gene. I’m a little surprised your mom’s oncologist didn’t suggest you be tested too. You should give him or her a call and tell them about your grandfather and arrange to be tested. You may also want to consider being tested under an alias for insurance purposes. Your mother’s siblings and your siblings, male and female, should also be tested. Once you receive the results your mother’s oncologist would be the one to give you the best advise. No amount of “eating right� or exercise changes anything. It helps in many areas of your health, but has no affect on this at all. You don’t need to be tested immediately, you have enough to deal with right now so take one thing at a time, but you should have it done in the next several months. You should probably talk to your mom’s oncologist about it now so that her records will be kept in the office for comparison when you are ready. I’m sorry for the loss of your mother and the news about your grandfather. It is a lot to deal with. Do your best to enjoy the time you have with him. He wants to know you will be okay. The pain that comes from losing someone you love never really goes away, but it does change and become more tolerable with time. Best wishes.

Question: I have just been diagnosed with hemachromotosis anybody here know? or have you had this condition? I am seeing a cancer specialist on the 21st of this month. It could involve the liver or pancreas. I did a little research after the Dr. called, but would like to be in contact with a person who has gone through or knows anyone who has this condition. Thanks in advance.

Answer: I had never heard of this condition before and so I also did a little research on the subject.My findings were the same or similar as previous posters.While getting information can help to clarify things sometimes it only further confuses us . A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing. Granny, my best answer to you is to write down any questions you have and ask your doctor.Every patient is different and your doctor will be able to better explain things to you and relieve you of any concerns. " The unknown " is always more worrisome than the known. I think it goes without saying our thoughts will be with you.

Question: How to handle mother dying of cancer? Warning: Prepare for a long story. About 8 months ago, my mother was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer. Basically, that means that the cancer that had originated on her pancreas had spread to far regions of her body, which included spots on her liver, left (I think) lung, and brain. She was immediately started on chemotherapy, but the idea given to us by the doctors (and a little research on my own) said that, statistically, she had less than 5 years to live (only a 5% chance to live longer than 5 years). Halfway through her chemo treatments, an MRI was performed because she was complaining of headaches and blurred vision. The MRI revealed what the doctor described as "small lines" of possible cancerous cells on the lining of her brain. Her chemotherapy was immediately halted in favor of a more aggressive radiation treatment aimed at her head. At the end of this treatment, another MRI was taken and the lines appeared to have gone away. Her chemo was resumed. Just recently (about two and a half/three weeks ago), my mother received the news from her doctor that she could consider herself in remission. To be on the safe side, her doctor ordered a PET scan of the body and another MRI, to make sure everything was how it should be. The PET scan showed up clear (all previously known tumors dark, no new tumors), but the MRI spotted several more tumors on her brain that (obviously) weren't there after the radiation treatment. Between the end of the radiation treatment and the latest MRI revealing these dozen or so small tumors, only a few months have elapsed. This is what causes me the most worry. According to her doctor's, my mother is "safe" (meaning, apparently, not in immediate danger of death) as long as she isn't showing neurological symptoms. I'm not exactly clear on what that means, maybe someone else is? I have been told by my father that she's had two strange episodes lately. One day, he was on the phone with her from the car while she was at home with my grandmother. After Dad hung up the phone, a few minutes later Mom started talking to him again as if he were in the room. A few days later, Dad was ironing pants for work and Mom "forgot" he was in the house; she thought he had left, and was surprised when he came out of her sewing room. The most I've been able to wring out of my family is that the doctors have now estimated less than two years for my mother to live. I'm not sure what to do, as I just turned 20 years old and I am a junior at a college 3 hours away from my parents. The popular phrase lately has been "anything can happen at any time," but how do you prepare for that? What are the symptoms of cancer/tumors in the brain? Is there anything to look for to know that her condition is declining? I already know it's going to be very hard for me to deal with this, being 3 hours away and not always able to answer the phone or in a position to leave suddenly (due to class or work), though when it gets to "that time" there won't be anything keeping me here. I'm just looking for something that I can watch for, to know when I need to heighten the alert level, so to speak.

Answer: this reminds me of my mother who died about 10 years ago. she had myoma first then this eventually metastasized to her lungs then to her brain (multiple glioma). the doctor said she only have 6 months to live...what worried me most is not the dying but the things she'll encounter before she dies particularly the neurologic signs and sufferrings. brain cancer is very painful (some would bump their heads on the walls). the doctor advised me to prepare powerful pain reliever like morphine since he concluded that having my mum undergo surgery will just cost us plus its not a guarantee that she'll recover. what we did was pray hard...she was not healed miraculously but God gave her a much better way to face death...it was a painless death contrary to what the doctor expected...my mother died at dawn while she's sleeping not even noticing she's dying already... there are many signs and symptoms of brain cancer depending on the extent of the pressure the tumor is giving to the brain or part of the brain pressed...some examples are, pain, muscle weakness, sensory dysfunctions, and etc..(you may search it in the web for details). my advise is you maximize your time with your mother, if possible you may stop schooling for a while just to spend quality time with your mum...bring her favorite places, recreations like her favorite hubby will surely help, sing her songs she love...and pray to God...

Question: What is the safest milk to consume? I have become addicted to expensive coffee drinks and in doing so am trying to find the most healthy way to order them. I have found in my research that though some organic milks truly do not use antibiotics and hormones, that some do. I have found that some organic milks actually contain more somatic cells than non-organic milks. Soy is suspected of causing thyroid problems and stomach cancers as well as hindering absorbtion of nutrients. Rice milk is supposedly sweetened with syrups that are bad for the pancreas. Is there a safe milk option? Or should I start drinking my coffee black? I realize this is kind of long for Y!A, but I appreciate any info or sources you can give. Thanks!

Answer: Drink your pasteurized cow's milk with good health and forget the tomfoolery.

Question: Is natural selection proven wrong-What you think? Is natural selection proven wrong-What do you think it is claimed NS is wrong for 4 reasons http://gamahucherpress.yellowgum.com/books/philosophy/Natural_selection.pdf There are four points which show natural selection [NS]is invalid or wrong 1)the cambrian explosion as darwin saw invalidates his theory. http://www.genesispark.com/genpark/explo/explo.htm “No real progress has been made by evolutionists since Darwin’s day and "The Cambrian evolutionary explosion is still shrouded in mystery." (Eldredge, N., The Monkey Business, 1982, p. 46.)� 2)NS is invalidated by the fact of speciation as NS only deals with traits already present and cant deal with the generation of new species genetics might be able to account for the generation of new species [ see below where it is shown genetics cannot account for the generation of new species] but NS cant as the generation of new species it not part of its remit 3) NS deals with the transmission of favorable traits and the eradication of unfavorable traits so the fact that unfavorable traits ie the gene for breast cancer are and can be transmitted and become common invalidates NS out right Some argue that harmful genes can be transmitted and become common when accompanied by good genes but this makes natural selection wrong ie �natural selection, a process that causes helpful traits (those that increase the chance of survival and reproduction) to become more common in a population and causes harmful traits to become more rare�(Ref: Futuyma, Douglas Evolution 2005� seeing bad genes can become common this thus makes natural selection wrong which says bad genes should be come rare or less common 4) genetics cannot account for the generation of new species-ie the cambrian explosion take point 3 NS is �natural selection, a process that causes helpful traits (those that increase the chance of survival and reproduction) to become more common in a population and causes harmful traits to become more rare�(Ref: Futuyma, Douglas Evolution 2005� note it say harmful traits will become rare but we have the fact of breast cancer where harmfull genes are common thus this makes NS wrong - as the harmful genes should be rare not common note in the quotes below such words as common very common when refering to breast cancer genes note breast cancer kills child bearing age women and note it says "Hereditary breast cancers tend to occur earlier in life" quotes MORE EVIDENCE these genes are harmful as they can lead to the death of the person –even child bearing women http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=5689 “But it is possible to be born with a gene fault that may cause cancer. This doesn't mean you will definitely get cancer. But it means that you are more likely to develop cancer than the average person� “The first breast cancer gene faults to be found were BRCA1 and BRCA2. These faults don't mean you have cancer, or you definitely will get cancer but women with these genes have a 50 to 80% chance of getting breast cancer in their lifetime. We now know of other genes that significantly increase a woman's risk of breast cancer. They are called TP53 and PTEN. Genetic tests are available to women with a high risk of having changes in their BRCA1, BRCA2, TP53 or PTEN genes. “Researchers have found other common genes that can slightly increase a woman's risk of developing breast cancer. These are called CASP8, FGFR2, TNRCP, MAP3K1 and LSP1. No tests are available to find these genes yet.� “Rare genes that can also increase breast cancer risk slightly include CHEK2, ATM (ataxia telangiectasia mutated), BRIP1 and PALB2. No tests are available for these genes yet� “With particular groups of women, there are very common specific gene faults. Ashkenazi Jewish women tend to have one of 3 very particular gene mutations� http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=breastcancer “Hereditary cancers are those associated with inherited gene mutations. Hereditary breast cancers tend to occur earlier in life than noninherited (sporadic) cases and are more likely to involve both breasts� “BRCA1 and BRCA2 are major genes related to hereditary breast cancer. Women who have inherited certain mutations in these genes have a high risk of developing breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and several other types of cancer during their lifetimes� “Additionally, BRCA1 mutations are associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer. Mutations in the BRCA2 gene are associated with an increased chance of developing male breast cancer and cancers of the prostate and pancreas. An aggressive form of skin cancer called melanoma is also more common among people who have BRCA2 mutations.� “Inherited changes in several other genes, including CDH1, PTEN, STK11, and TP53, have been found to increase the risk of developing breast cancer� “Some research suggests that inherited variants of the ATM, BARD1, BRIP1, CHEK2, NBN,

Answer: The PDF paper you're citing appears to be written by some 15-year-old poser who borrowed someone else's name and credentials. No one with an MA degree (much less several of them) would write so badly, and put his real name on it. > Natural selection proven wrong Nope. > 1)the cambrian explosion as darwin saw invalidates his theory It doesn't, really. We don't know what happened, but analysis of earlier fossils does suggest that Cambrian fauna was descended from earlier forms. As we find more fossils, we'll fill in some of the missing pieces -- and it's unlikely we'll find that God is a missing piece here. > 2)NS is invalidated by the fact of speciation as NS only deals with triats already present and cant deal with the generation of new species Mutation, isolation, genetic drift... and selection. Mutation makes new alleles. > transmission of favorable triats so the fact that unfavorable traits The unfavorable traits may not hamper reproductive ability. The "breast cancer gene" you keep mentioning has, historically, not prevented its carriers from having as many children, on average, as normal women. > 4) genetics cannot account for the generation of new species Mutation, isolation, genetic drift... and selection. Mutation makes new alleles. Didn't I say that before? ==== I copied my response from when I answered your question before. You know, God frowns on vain repetition. Stop asking this one. Edit: Here's what another responder said about Colin Leslie Dean, more than a year ago: "What we know about Colin Leslie Dean is that he is a self-promoting wanna-be poet from Australia who posts queries here on YA (using fictitious profiles) about his own non-celebrity. Which makes me wonder....is he at it again???"

Question: Living a long life - will I die young too? I have recently been going to the local cemetery to find my relatives graves as part of my family history research. After looking at the graves, there is a myriad of ages from 1 day old to 102 years old. My grandfather and my mother both died when they were 45, grandad died of cancer and mum died had an "ischaemic bowel" where her bowel's blood supply was cut off by her inflamed pancreas which caused multiple organ failure and we switched her life support off. Is this just coincidence or will I die young too?

Answer: No one will be able to tell you that, only time. Life is very unpredicted thing, and you may be surprised when you hit 80, and then you will remember "-yeah, that guy on Yahoo answers was right, even thought I was sceptical about it".

Question: Can someone please read this and help me? The waning days of my life are upon me--that's putting it lightly, folks. If medical science prevails this will be the last Christmas my eyes get to see. I have cirrhosis of the liver (I was a drinker my whole life) and I have colon cancer and another type I will soon mention. Thanks to George Bush and the system of medicaid, I don't have legitimate insurance and I didn't get sufficient coverage for a long time. Don't bother with mentioning ways to fight the system (applying this form or that form) as it's been confirmed my cirrhosis now has pancreatic (found out a few weeks ago) cancer helping deteriorate my body. The doctor's, ironically enough, have said I won't make it past January 20. That's a shame. Why? Because Obama, I suspect, will nationalize healthcare soon after he enters, and will lower prescription costs and subsequently free up more money for research into my diseases (cirrosis, pancreatic cancer, and colon cancer). See, with a dramatically reformed health care system after January 20--if they could get a bill in place quickly--I could maybe make it for a while as they are doing research and I am getting enough meds to hold me over. But January 20 is it for me, at least according to three doctors. Yes, forty-eight hours, I'm being told, is why I won't make it. If I could just squeek by for two extra days, they say there's a good chance I could get funding from the government and possibly live a good twenty years if capital was invested into research that ultimately concocted meds to conquer my diseases. But January 20 apparently is my day of reckoning, so I accept it. Why am I saying all this, you ask? I want one more BJ before I go. My wife has pledge she will slurp it one more time. But the problem is--and I hope someone familiar with medicine can answer me--I don't think my liver can take a hit of Viagra. I live in the country and every day I think about this--perhaps I have too much time on my hands. So, if anybody has any experience in this, can you tell me if my pancreas and liver could handle one more hit of Viagra? I'd rather not kick the can until January 20, so I'm willing to forgo the BJ, but if my liver could absord the Viagra I'd like to pull it out one more time.

Answer: As an oncologist, I can tell you that in your particular case, Viagra is a viable option. You can increase your chances of a safe experience, however, if you crush the Viagra pill and snort it. This process will be much easier on your already damaged liver and pancreas. Since you will be departing this earth soon, you might want to consider saving the semen from the BJ so that your wife has the option of having one last child with you after you're gone. Many women like to honor their husbands this way. Since she's past the child-bearing age (I'm assuming), she might want to consider finding a surrogate. If you'd like more information on the artificial insemination process, let me know and I'll contact a colleague of mine. Best wishes for your final grand BJ! And, tip your hat to Obama.

Question: stem cell therapy? hello . i am announcement for help to my friend howwho suffer from rare cancer in his organs including his kidney - pancreas and most of his internal oragns . this happen becuase he was very thin and he went to get fat so he went to nutrition doctor in IRAN and doctor gave him kind of food supplement which cuase him cancer plus many more problem as his kidneys does not work properly any more. The powder call nutriplex . when he went to another doctor for his problem doctor told him that the only solution that my help him is stem cell therapy which is new to world and apparently is new in EU and some doctor doing now in USA . please please his just 28 years old if you know any doctor or hospital or any medical center or research center please please let us know . he is willing to attend in in medical research . he is currently in UK . if you think anything that might help him please contact us on zal_zal82@yahoo.com. 07903766932 (UK phone number ) thank you very much and god bless you

Answer: Try these links - UK links. "London Bridge Hospital. Specialists in Stem Cell Transplants for Cancer and Leukaemia ... marrow or stem cell transplantation is now the treatment of choice ..." I wish your friend all the very best