Latest news with #pancreaticcancer
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
How your gut bacteria could help detect pancreatic cancer early
Whether you had breakfast this morning or not, your pancreas is working quietly behind the scenes. This vital organ produces the enzymes that help digest your food and the hormones that regulate your metabolism. But when something goes wrong with your pancreas, the consequences can be devastating. Pancreatic cancer has earned the grim nickname 'the silent killer' for good reason. By the time most patients experience symptoms, the disease has often progressed to an advanced stage where treatment options become severely limited. In the UK alone, over 10,700 new cases and 9,500 deaths from pancreatic cancer were recorded between 2017 and 2019, with incidence rates continuing to rise. The most common form, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), develops in the pancreatic duct – a tube connecting the pancreas to the small intestine. When tumours form here, they can block the flow of digestive enzymes, causing energy metabolism problems that leave patients feeling chronically tired and unwell. Yet these symptoms are often so subtle that they're easily dismissed or attributed to other causes. Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK's latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences. Now researchers are turning to an unexpected source for early PDAC detection: faecal samples. While analysing poo might seem an unlikely approach to cancer diagnosis, scientists are discovering that our waste contains a treasure trove of information about our health. This is because your gut is home to trillions of bacteria – in fact, bacterial cells in your body outnumber human cells by roughly 40 trillion to 30 trillion. These microscopic residents form complex communities that can reflect the state of your health, including the presence of disease. Since PDAC typically develops in the part of the pancreas that connects to the gut, and most people have regular bowel movements, stool samples provide a practical, non-invasive window into what is happening inside the body. This innovative approach has been validated in studies across several countries, including Japan, China and Spain. The latest breakthrough comes from a 2025 international study involving researchers in Finland and Iran, which set out to examine the relationship between gut bacteria and pancreatic cancer onset across different populations. The researchers collected stool samples and analysed bacterial DNA using a technique called 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Despite the complex name, the principle is straightforward: scientists sequence and compare a genetic region found in every bacterium's genome, allowing them to both identify and count different bacterial species simultaneously. The findings from the Finnish-Iranian study were striking. Patients with PDAC exhibited reduced bacterial diversity in their gut, with certain species either enriched or depleted compared with healthy people. More importantly, the team developed an artificial intelligence model that could accurately distinguish between cancer patients and healthy people based solely on their gut bacterial profiles. The field of microbiome research is evolving rapidly. While this study used amplicon sequencing, newer methods like 'shotgun metagenomic sequencing' are providing even more detailed insights. This advanced technique captures the entire bacterial genome content rather than focusing on a single gene, offering an unprecedented resolution that can even detect whether bacteria have recently transferred between individuals. These technological advances are driving a fundamental shift in how we think about health and disease. We're moving from a purely human-centred view to understanding ourselves as 'human plus microbiome' – complex ecosystems where our bacterial partners play crucial roles in our wellbeing. The possibilities go well beyond pancreatic cancer. At Quadram, we're applying similar methods to study colorectal cancer. We've already analysed over a thousand stool samples using advanced computational tools that piece together bacterial genomes and their functions from fragmented DNA. This ongoing work aims to reveal how gut microbes behave in colorectal cancer, much like other scientists have done for PDAC. The bidirectional interactions between cancer and bacteria are particularly fascinating – not only can certain bacterial profiles indicate disease presence, but the disease itself can alter the gut microbiome, as we previously showed in Parkinson's disease, creating a complex web of cause and effect that researchers are still unravelling. Nonetheless, by understanding how our microbial partners respond to and influence disease, we're gaining insights that could revolutionise both diagnosis and treatment. Our past research has shown this to be incredibly complex and sometimes difficult to understand, but developments in biotechnology and artificial intelligence are increasingly helping us to make sense of this microscopic world. For cancer patients and their families, this and other advancements in microbiome research offer hope for earlier detection. While we're still in the early stages of translating these findings into clinical practice, the potential to catch this silent killer before it becomes deadly could transform outcomes for thousands of patients, but will require more careful and fundamental research. The microbial perspective on health is no longer a distant scientific curiosity – it's rapidly becoming a practical reality that could save lives. As researchers continue to explore this inner frontier, we're learning that the answer to some of our most challenging medical questions might be hiding in plain sight – in the waste we flush away each day. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Falk Hildebrand receives funding from the UKRI, BBSRC, NERC and ERC. Daisuke Suzuki receives funding from Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.
Medscape
3 days ago
- Health
- Medscape
Small, Stable Pancreatic Cysts May Show Reassuring Outcomes
TOPLINE: Compared with the general population, patients with small, stable cysts without baseline worrisome features or high-risk stigmata did not have an increased risk for high-grade dysplasia (HGD) or pancreatic cancer (PC). Smaller cyst size (< 15 mm) and growth rate less than 2.5 mm/y emerged as reassuring features with a lower risk for progression. METHODOLOGY: This nested study from the PACYFIC-registry collaboration spanning 44 centres across Europe and Northern America evaluated the risk for HGD and PC on the basis of different pancreatic cyst sizes and growth rates. A total of 975 patients with neoplastic and undefined pancreatic cysts (median age, 67 years; 65% women) without baseline worrisome features or high-risk stigmata who had either reached the malignant progression (HGD or PC) or undergone surgical resection by the 24-month follow-up were included in this study. High-risk stigmata were defined as obstructive jaundice in patients with pancreatic head cysts, an enhancing mural nodule of 5 mm or larger or any solid component, a main pancreatic duct of 10 mm or larger, and suspicious/positive cytology. Worrisome features included recent acute pancreatitis, elevated CA19-9 levels in serum (≥ 37 kU/L), new-onset diabetes, an enhancing mural nodule under 5 mm, a thickened or enhancing cyst wall, a main pancreatic duct measuring 5-10 mm, and/or an abrupt calibre change and lymphadenopathy. Data on cyst characteristics, such as size and growth (indicated by the difference in size between the first and last follow-up visits), were collected. Overall, 438 patients had a cyst size less than 15 mm and 885 had cyst growth under 2.5 mm/y, and 20 patients developed HGD or PC over a median follow-up duration of 45 months. TAKEAWAY: Patients with smaller cysts (< 15 mm) showed a 1.5-fold lower risk of developing worrisome features or high-risk stigmata than those with larger cysts (≥ 15 mm; adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.7; P = .03). Patients with slow-growing cysts (< 2.5 mm/y) had a 2.8-fold lower risk of developing worrisome features or high-risk stigmata (aHR, 0.4; P < .001) and a 25-fold lower risk of developing HGD or PC (aHR, 0.04; P < .001) than those with fast-growing cysts (≥ 2.5 mm/y). When considering both cyst size and growth, the absolute risk of developing worrisome features or high-risk stigmata was lowest for those with a baseline cyst size less than 15 mm and growth under 2.5 mm/y. Compared with the general population, patients with small, stable cysts without baseline worrisome features or high-risk stigmata did not have an increased risk for HGD or PC (standardised incidence ratio, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.01-6.30). IN PRACTICE: "Low‐risk cysts should be a focal point of attention for future studies aiming to alleviate the burden on patients and health care resources by reducing the intensity of follow‐up regimes or even discontinuing surveillance after years of stability," the authors of the study wrote. SOURCE: This study was led by Iris J.M. Levink, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. It was published online on June 18, 2025, in United European Gastroenterology Journal. LIMITATIONS: Cyst management was not standardised across centres and determined by the treating physician, potentially introducing variability in treatment approaches. The study may have referral bias as 14 of 30 participating centres were tertiary care facilities. Only 27% of participants had more than 5 years of follow-up, which limited conclusions about long-term surveillance cessation. DISCLOSURES: This study did not receive any specific funding. Some authors reported receiving research grants, consulting fees, and support for investigator-initiated studies and having other ties with various sources. One author reported holding stock/stock options with a pharmaceutical company. This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.
CTV News
6 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Lemonade stands to selling toys: A Belle River family fights ‘king' of cancers
Landon Bevan, 6, and members of his family organized a lemonade stand in Belle River on June 21, 2025 to raise funds for their Grandpa's pancreatic cancer treatment. (Robert Lothian/CTV News Windsor) In a day of blistering heat, six-year-old Landon Bevan was all smiles as he stood on his driveway handing out lemonade; after all, he knew it was for an important cause. Bevan and his brother Rhyen crafted the idea to host a lemonade stand in an effort to help their grandpa, Roy Knight, pay for medical treatment for pancreatic cancer. 'We had to, like, pull up the tents and put the balloons on the side of the garage,' Landon explained. 'I made a couple of the signs that my mom stuck into the ground.' The aspiring doctor also pitched ideas to create a stand where he tells jokes for money, or even sell his toys if need be. 'He's pretty smart for a six-year-old,' Knight said with a smile. Throughout Saturday afternoon, visitors stopped by the Belle River home to grab a lemonade or a raffle ticket. Funds support Knight's efforts to travel to Florida and receive NanoKnife surgery, a form of treatment not regularly offered in Canada. The stay is estimated to cost about $80,000. While Knight is seeking community help to try and prolong his life, Roy and his daughter Ashley Bevan believe his story shines a spotlight on the need for added pancreatic cancer research and support in healthcare. Treatment In Canada, pancreatic cancer is often treated by chemotherapy, radiation, or the Whipple procedure. Knight began chemotherapy in the days after receiving the diagnosis in February and has been seeing medical experts in London. 'Chemo really takes a toll on somebody, you know, out of the two weeks, I only have four good days in those two weeks,' Knight explained. Since his diagnosis, Knight has stayed with Ashley, a nurse practitioner, to ensure he was receiving the care he needed. 'Having pancreatic cancer is awful,' Ashley said 'Hearing that that's the cancer that it is, knowing that it's the king of all cancers.' Through countless hours of reading, she learned it's 'very muddied waters' when it comes to pancreatic cancer research and treatment. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, in 2024 pancreatic cancer was expected to be the third most deadly form of cancer in the country. 'There really does need to be more research done on pancreatic cancer treatment guidelines,' Ashley said. The family learned of 'NanoKnife,' a treatment which uses pulses of electricity to destroy cancer cells without damaging nearby organs and cells, per Ontario Health. Currently, the procedure is used in Canada for prostate cancer. However, the surgery is not regularly available in Canada for pancreatic cancer, and Bevin said clinical trials require requests from Canadians. 'When I asked, how do we request them to do a research trial? [The research coordinator] said, there needs to be a need and that the public needs to ask for it,' she noted. The family wants to see the treatment reconsidered for clinical trials, and if successful, used as a regular response to pancreatic cancer. 'I think to myself like we're just one family of many who are going through this exact thing,' Ashley said. Diagnosis Ahead of his cancer diagnosis, Knight said he spent many months with abdominal pain. He went to an emergency room on multiple occasions, but the cancer was not detected until they urged medical officials to do a biopsy. 062225 From left, Ashley Bevan, Landon Bevan, and Roy Knight spoke to CTV News about the need for more cancer research and treatments in Canada. (Robert Lothian/CTV News Windsor) 'They assured us that it was not cancer. Then we got the call on his birthday that it was,' Ashely said. The family wants to see more procedures and resources available to ensure Canadians have access to screening processes, which could help lead to early detection for some forms of cancer. As for Knight's surgery, they've tentatively set it for July 24th in Florida, pending they raise enough money. 'You know you just want to go on as long as you can, and hopefully this NanoKnife helps to see the kids grow up,' Knight said.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Creator of beloved Jake's Pizza in Green Bay passes away after battle with cancer
GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – The beloved creator of a popular pizza place in Green Bay has died following a battle with pancreatic cancer. Jake's Pizza, located on South Broadway in Green Bay, announced the passing of Ronald 'Jake' L. Jacobson on Monday after his passing on Sunday, May 18, 2025. 'Rest in peace, The Jake,' Jake's Pizza's Facebook post began. 'Thank you for everything. There's a cold one for you at the bar.' Local organization highlights equine therapy at open house Jake began his legacy with a 'Superior' recipe for pizza in Superior, Wisconsin, where he owned and operated Jake's Pizza on Main Street for 30 years. Jacobson went on to mentor the current owners of Jake's Pizza on Broadway, where they used the same original recipe of Jake's, along with the signage from the original Jake's. 'A strong northeast wind over the bay on Sunday, May 18, 2025, blew as Ron, 82 years old, ended his suffering from pancreatic cancer,' a passage from Jacobson's obituary reads. 'Jake loved living in Green Bay, riding his John Deere, mowing his extensive lawn, and golfing.' A Memorial Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 22, from 1:00 p.m. to the time of service at 5:30 p.m. Service will be located at Malcore Funeral Home (East), 701 North Baird Street in Green Bay. Shawano School District breaks ground on $51M facility projects Jake's Pizza will be closed to the public on Thursday, May 22, for a family and friends event following the memorial service. They will also be closed the following Saturday and Sunday for the holiday weekend. Those who wish to order memorial trees can do so by clicking here. Flowers can also be sent to the family in memory of Ronald Jacobson. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Alcohol linked to increased risk of pancreatic cancer: Study
Alcoholic beverages, particularly beer and spirits, may increase the risk of developing pancreatic cancer, according to a new study led by the UN World Health Organization. The research, which pooled data from nearly 2.5 million people across Asia, Australia, Europe and North America, revealed a 'modest but significant' link between alcohol consumption and pancreatic cancer risk, regardless of sex or smoking status. 'Alcohol consumption is a known carcinogen, but until now, the evidence linking it specifically to pancreatic cancer has been considered inconclusive,' said Pietro Ferrari, senior author of the study and head of the nutrition and metabolism branch at the World Health Organization International Agency for Research on Cancer. The study revealed that each additional 10 grams of alcohol consumed per day was associated with a three percent increase in pancreatic cancer risk. Additionally, women consuming 15-30 grams of alcohol daily, which equates to about one to two drinks, had a 12 percent higher risk. Men drinking 30-60 grams daily had a 15 percent increased risk, increasing to 36 percent for those consuming more than 60 grams. The study confirmed alcohol as an 'independent risk factor,' even after accounting for smoking. Ferrari emphasized that 'alcohol is often consumed in combination with tobacco,' but the elevated risk persists among non-smokers. Pancreatic cancer, a disease that impacts digestive enzyme production and blood sugar regulation, remains one of the deadliest cancers due to late-stage diagnoses. Although it ranks 12th in global cancer incidence, it accounts for 5 percent of all cancer-related deaths, according to the WHO. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
