Although this doesn't have too much to do with politics, other than stem cell research possibly, my fraternity is taking part in our annual cancer awareness week. In a time when things are complicated, we should try our best to not ignore the other battles of life and death going on in our world. We are posting flyers with information about symptoms of cancer around our campus at The Ohio State University.
Please take a minute and read my short summary I lifted from a website about Pancreatic Cancer, or donate to our American Cancer Society Relay For Life fund, if you are so inclined!:
https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=81861&lis=1&kntae81861=C8DA8C964
E004135A85E71D0384BBE18&supId=0&team=826814&cj
What causes cancer of the pancreas?
While it can seldom be explained why one person gets pancreatic cancer and another doesn't, it is clear that the disease is not contagious. No one can "catch" cancer from another person.
Although scientists to not know exactly what causes cancer of the pancreas, they are learning that some things increase a person's chance of getting this disease. Smoking is a major risk factor. Research shows that cigarette smokers develop cancer of the pancreas two to three times more often than nonsmokers. Quitting smoking reduces the risk of pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, and a number of other diseases.
Pancreatic cancer has been called a "silent" disease because early pancreatic cancer usually does not cause symptoms. If the tumor blocks the common bile duct and bile cannot pass into the digestive system, the skin and whites of the eyes may become yellow, and the urine may become darker. This condition is called jaundice.
As the cancer grows and spreads, pain often develops in the upper abdomen and sometimes spreads to the back. The pain may become worse after the person eats or lies down. Cancer of the pancreas can also cause nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss, and weakness.
A rare type of pancreatic cancer, called islet cell cancer, begins in the cells of the pancreas that produce insulin and other hormones. Islet cells are also called the islets of Langerhans. Islet cell cancer can cause the pancreas to produce too much insulin or hormones. When this happens, the patient may feel weak or dizzy and may have chills, muscle spasms, or diarrhea.
These symptoms may be caused by cancer or by other, less serious problems. If an individual is experiencing symptoms, a doctor should be consulted.
http://www.medicinenet.com/pancreatic_cancer/page3.htm
Beta Kappa Gamma Cancer Awareness Week 2005
www.betakappagamma.org
