Genetic Pancreatic Cancer Prevention

Pancreatic cancer is a fairly aggressive form of cancer that originates in the pancreas, an organ that aids in the digestive process and helps regulate the metabolism. Due to the nature of the disease, it is often not detected until it has advanced into later stages of its development, frequently metastasizing into other areas of the body. Even if you're genetically predisposed to this form of cancer, meaning that there's a history of this disease in your family, there are things you can do that may help prevent or reduce the risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

Diet

• One of the easiest methods that could help reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer is your diet. By eliminating foods high in animal fat while increasing your intake of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, you can ensure you're getting plenty of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants like vitamins E and C, carotenoids, beta-carotene and lycopene as well as fiber. All of these nutrients are believed to reduce your risk of pancreatic cancer, so incorporate broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, cabbage, avocados, brussels sprouts, strawberries and citrus fruits to increase your intake of both vitamins C and E. Tomatoes, sweet potatoes, apricots, carrots, mango and kale are all great sources of beta-carotene, lycopene and other carotenoids. Legumes, potatoes, apples, bananas, prunes, pears, broccoli and tomatoes can help provide you with fiber. Try to get between five and nine servings of these foods each day.

Exercise

• Along with a healthier, more balanced diet, incorporate some form of exercise into your daily routine. Walking, jogging or partaking in any other aerobic activity for as little as 30 minutes each day is believed to help reduce your risk of pancreatic cancer. But if you're not accustomed to physical pursuits, start off slow with a low-impact, less strenuous sport such as swimming or biking. As your fitness level increases, integrate more strenuous activities like tennis or basketball. Regardless of what athletic activity is of interest to you, just do it.

Weight

• While both diet and exercise are both great steps to reducing your chances of pancreatic cancer, any excess weight you're carrying could actually counteract all that. According to the Mayo Clinic, you're at an increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer if you're overweight, so drop the pounds if at all possible. But when you do set off to lose the weight, make sure to do so in a healthy fashion, setting your weight loss goals to up to two pounds a week.

Smoking

• Though it should go without saying, smoking is another habit that can increase your chance of cancer, even pancreatic. If you smoke, start a smoking cessation program as soon as possible.