Woman Diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer in Final Stages Due to Unhealthy Eating Habits

A 50-year-old woman in Taiwan was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in its final stages, despite not smoking or drinking alcohol. The cause of her cancer was attributed to her regular consumption of processed and red meat.

According to a report by SOHA news website, the woman had no history of chronic diseases or family history of serious diseases. However, she recently experienced discomfort and tightness in her stomach, and her body weight suddenly dropped by 9 kilograms in just one month.

After undergoing an ultrasound and CT scan of her abdomen, doctors discovered a 4 cm shadow on her pancreas and diagnosed her with pancreatic cancer. Her tumor index CA19-9 was greater than 200, which is 7 times the normal value, indicating intermediate and advanced stage disease.

The Importance of Early Detection

It is believed that the woman developed cancer last year, but it was not detected during her physical examination. If she had undergone an ultrasound of her pancreas and accurate screening for pancreatic cancer at that time, it is likely that the cancer would have been detected at an early stage, and her treatment and survival rate would have been significantly different.

The Risks of Processed and Red Meat

Doctors believe that the woman’s lack of exercise and regular consumption of processed and red meat contributed to her development of pancreatic cancer. Processed meats, such as ham, bacon, and corned beef, contain nitrite, which can increase the risk of cancer. Red meat, on the other hand, is high in saturated fat and has been classified as a category 2A carcinogen by the IARC.

While it is not necessary to completely eliminate red meat from one’s diet, it is essential to control the amount consumed. The IARC recommends limiting red meat consumption to reduce the risk of colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, and other types of cancer.