Another, significant factor in pancreatic cancer is diabetes. Diabetes may be either a risk factor or a symptom of pancreatic cancer. There is type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The difference between the two is that in type 1 diabetes the body’s immune system attacks part of its own pancreas. Scientists are not sure why. But the immune system mistakenly sees the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas as foreign, and destroys them. This attack is known as "autoimmune" disease. These cells are called islets these cells are the ones that sense glucose in the blood and, in response, produce the necessary amount of insulin to normalize blood sugars. Insulin serves as a key to open your cells, to allow the glucose to enter, and allow you to use the glucose
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The result is the body’s cells starve from the lack of glucose. And, if left untreated, the high level of blood sugar can damage eyes, kidneys, nerves, and the heart, and can also lead to coma and death (Diabetes Research Institute Foundation, 2014). Type 2 diabetes is most common form of diabetes. This is also called “adult onset” diabetes, since it typically develops after age 35. However, a growing number of younger people are now developing type 2 diabetes. People with type 2 are able to produce some of their own insulin. Often, it’s not enough. And sometimes, the insulin will try to serve as the “key” to open the body’s cells, to allow the glucose to enter. But the key won’t work. The cells won’t open. This is called insulin resistance. Often, type 2 is tied to people who are overweight, with a sedentary lifestyle. Treatment focuses on diet and exercise. If blood sugar levels are still high, oral medications are used to help the body use its own insulin more efficiently. In some cases, insulin injections are necessary (Diabetes Research Institute Foundation, 2014). Furthermore pancreatic cancer is more likely to occur in people who have long-standing (over 5 years) diabetes than in people who do not have
The result is the body’s cells starve from the lack of glucose. And, if left untreated, the high level of blood sugar can damage eyes, kidneys, nerves, and the heart, and can also lead to coma and death (Diabetes Research Institute Foundation, 2014). Type 2 diabetes is most common form of diabetes. This is also called “adult onset” diabetes, since it typically develops after age 35. However, a growing number of younger people are now developing type 2 diabetes. People with type 2 are able to produce some of their own insulin. Often, it’s not enough. And sometimes, the insulin will try to serve as the “key” to open the body’s cells, to allow the glucose to enter. But the key won’t work. The cells won’t open. This is called insulin resistance. Often, type 2 is tied to people who are overweight, with a sedentary lifestyle. Treatment focuses on diet and exercise. If blood sugar levels are still high, oral medications are used to help the body use its own insulin more efficiently. In some cases, insulin injections are necessary (Diabetes Research Institute Foundation, 2014). Furthermore pancreatic cancer is more likely to occur in people who have long-standing (over 5 years) diabetes than in people who do not have