Pancreatic cancer risk for Native Hawaiians

Pancreatic cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the cells of the pancreas. The pancreas is an organ located behind the stomach that produces enzymes and hormones that help in the digestion of food. According to the American Cancer Society, pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive forms of cancer and can be difficult to treat due to the lack of early symptoms. Among different ethnic groups, the Native Hawaiian population has been found to have a higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer risk for Native Hawaiians is a complex issue that requires an understanding of various factors such as genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Genetic factors have been found to play a role in the development of pancreatic cancer. For instance, studies have found that mutations in certain genes such as BRCA2 increase the risk of pancreatic cancer. Native Hawaiians have been found to carry a higher frequency of BRCA2 mutations compared to other ethnic groups, which may contribute to their higher risk of pancreatic cancer.

Lifestyle factors such as diet and smoking have also been linked with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer. Native Hawaiians have a traditional diet that is high in fat and low in fruits and vegetables, which may contribute to their increased risk of pancreatic cancer. Studies have also found that smoking increases the risk of pancreatic cancer, and Native Hawaiians have a higher smoking prevalence compared to other ethnic groups.

Environmental factors such as exposure to chemicals and pollution may also contribute to the development of pancreatic cancer. Native Hawaiians are exposed to a range of environmental pollutants due to their location in the Pacific Ocean. For example, exposure to heavy metals such as mercury due to consumption of fish may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer.

Other risk factors for pancreatic cancer include age, gender, and family history. Native Hawaiians tend to have a younger age at onset of pancreatic cancer compared to other ethnic groups, which indicates that genetic factors may play a significant role in the development of this cancer. Additionally, men have a higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer compared to women, and family history of pancreatic cancer increases the risk of developing this cancer.

Study of University of South California, 2019

Pancreatic cancer incidence rates have also been consistently elevated among Native Hawaiians according to the Hawaii Tumor Registry and other SEER registries. Based on the study, Native Hawaiians had the greatest disparity among all race/ethnicity groups, with nearly double the age‐adjusted incidence rate and about a 60% greater relative risk of pancreatic cancer compared to European Americans after risk factor adjustment. This difference in incidence can perhaps be explained by race‐specific variations in the susceptibility and severity of diabetes, which was a strong independent risk factor among Native Hawaiians in our analysis. Literature has shown that there is a disproportionate burden of diabetes among Native Hawaiians, as both the prevalence and risk of diabetes is much higher for Native Hawaiians compared to European Americans. There is also evidence suggesting that diabetes may be more critical and advanced in this population. Native Hawaiians are more frequently hospitalized for diabetes and have a greater likelihood of experiencing diabetes‐related complications and mortality. In addition, Native Hawaiians are more likely to have poorer glycemic control and elevated blood glucose levels, which have been observed to be associated with pancreatic cancer. Future studies investigating diabetes severity and pancreatic cancer across race/ethnicity groups would be valuable in understanding this increased incidence among Native Hawaiians.

Diagnosing pancreatic cancer early can be difficult due to the lack of early symptoms. Symptoms such as abdominal pain, jaundice, and weight loss usually develop at a later stage of the disease, making it difficult to detect the cancer in its early stages. As a result, pancreatic cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, which can make treatment more challenging.

Treatment options for pancreatic cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. However, the effectiveness of treatment depends on several factors such as the stage of the cancer, age of the patient, and overall health of the patient. Unfortunately, pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis, with a five-year survival rate of less than 10%.

To reduce the risk of developing pancreatic cancer, it is important to adopt a healthy lifestyle. This includes increasing intake of fruits and vegetables, reducing consumption of red meat and processed foods, and quitting smoking. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight can also reduce the risk of developing pancreatic cancer.