Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month is celebrated in the month of November. People all over the world will show their support by wearing purple for those who are fighting it or those who have passed away from the deadly disease. Wearing purple isn’t the only way to show your support for Pancreatic Cancer, you can also show support by dedicating a social media post. 

Pancreatic Cancer is a cancer that begins in the organ underneath the lower part of your stomach,the pancreas. The pancreas is an oblong organ that is located between the stomach and the spine,its job is to produce juices that help with digestion,make insulin and other hormones that help the body absorb sugar and control blood sugar. Pancreatic cancer often goes undetected until it’s advanced and gets difficult to treat. Up to 10 percent of patients who receive an early diagnosis become cancer free thanks to the help of treatment. 

Patients who are diagnosed and go undiagnosed for a while, have a survival rate of 2 – 3.5 years. Some major causes of pancreatic cancer are smoking,diabetes,chronic inflammation in pancreas(pancreatitis),  and obesity. Some symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer are abdominal pain,loss of appetite,blood clots,fatigue,itchy skin,dark colored urine,and yellowing of skin and eye whites. 

Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month is important to me because of my grandma. She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer almost two years ago and passed away in late July. She was somebody I could always go to and one of the most unique people I’ve ever met in my life. So this year, my family and I are celebrating pancreatic cancer in honor of my grandma.