Young adults who are overweight or obese run a higher risk of developing deadly pancreatic cancer and older people who are obese and who develop pancreatic cancer have a lower survival rate, say researchers.

A study done by researchers at the University of Texax M.D. Anderson Cancer Center looked at 841 patients who had pancreatic cancer and 754 healthy individuals, looked at weight, body mass index (BMI), ages, number of people who developed pancreatic cancer, survival rates, and smoking status.

A press release, issued by the JAMA and Archives Journal, which published the study findings:

The researchers found that individuals who were overweight (a BMI of 25-29.9) from the ages of 14 to 39 years or obese (a BMI of 30 or greater) from the ages of 20 to 49 years had an associated increased risk of pancreatic cancer, independent of diabetes status. The association between average BMI (per 5-unit increase) and risk of pancreatic cancer was stronger in men than in women. The association was statistically significant for each age group from 14 to 69 years in men but only from ages 14 to 39 years in women. The estimated association of average BMI (per 5-unit increase) with cancer risk also was slightly stronger in ever smokers than in never smokers. It was estimated that 10.3 percent of never smokers and 21.3 percent of ever smokers had pancreatic cancer attributable to being overweight or obese at an early age prior to cancer diagnosis (i.e., from the ages of 14-59 years).

This is an extremely important finding because the North American population is growing in size and obesity is hitting epidemic proportions. If pancreatic cancer, a very difficult to treat cancer and often fatal one, is related to a preventable cause, then this needs to be a serious public issue.

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Image: courtesy PhotoXpress.com

In November 2008, Washington State became the second state in the United States to allow for doctor-assisted suicide. The first was Oregon, which has had this law since 1997. Currently, a third state, Montana, has such a law as well, but it’s before the Montana Supreme Court for final judgment.

According to this article, Washington state to enact assisted suicide law , written earlier this year, this law allows for “aided dying,” not “euthanasia” or “assisted suicide”:

“Aided dying is neither euthanasia nor suicide,” said Terry Barnett, president of the Washington branch of Compassion & Choices advocacy group.

“It’s not euthanasia because euthanasia implies action by a physician to end a patient’s life. It’s not suicide because people who choose aid in dying are not choosing to end their lives.

“They don’t want to die — they’re choosing to end suffering that cannot be relieved and suffering that they are experiencing that is worse than death.”

The law is called the Death With Dignity Act .

The person at the center of this, the first one to die under this new law, is Linda Fleming, a 66-year-old who had been living with late-stage, terminal, pancreatic cancer. She made this choice when she was still able to with a clear mind and the ability to make her wishes known.

Death under these circumstances is rarely easy and for those who fear that people who believe in laws like this are rejoicing - I doubt it. While they may be grateful that Ms Fleming was given this opportunity, it’s never a good thing to see someone die.

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Image: iStock

Did you know that in the state of Washington, assisted suicide is legal? Now, a 66-year old woman who was diagnosed last month with pancreatic cancer has used that law. Linda Fleming “took her prescribed medication and died Thursday evening at home with her family, her dog and her physician.”

Fleming said the increased pain medications she took affected her mind and alertness. She said, “I am a very spiritual person, and it was very important to me to be conscious, clear-minded and alert at the time of my death.”

I’m not sure how I feel about assisted suicide. I’ll like to believe that if you’re terminally ill, you should be able to make that choice. I don’t think people should suffer. But I also trust faith to lead us to our end. How do you feel about assisted suicide?

Image: sxc.hu.

I’m having a very rainy Sunday and a gloomy weekend altogether. Since I haven’t done Cancer Commentary links for quite sometime, here’s today’s edition:

1. In Calgary (Canada), the city is turning pink today to fight breast cancer.

The Weekend to End Breast Cancer kicks off its second day today, with 1,400 men and women back on Calgary streets, completing the final 25 kilometres of the 60-kilometre route.

This year’s walk — the fourth in Calgary — has raised more than $4 million, with proceeds going to the Tom Baker Cancer Centre.

2. As if we do not have enough cancer scare yet this week: first the cellphone, now granite kitchen countertops!

A physics professor at Rice University is warning of a radioactive threat found in some kitchen countertops.

Some granite countertops contain levels of uranium high enough to be dangerous to humans, said Rice professor W.J. Llope.

Llope’s findings remain unpublished, although he said he plans to seek publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

Read more

It must be difficult to be Steve Jobs. Rumors that his cancer might be back pulled down Apple’s stock to as much as 12 percent on Tuesday.

Then, just reports that Steve Jobs has told associates he is cancer-free — shares of Apple jumped nearly 3 percent the very next day!

According to reports, Jobs is having nutritional problems due to pancreatic cancer surgery he had four years ago while Apple remains adamant that Steve Jobs’ state of health is a private matter.

Well…the guy must be having a tough time, cancer-free or not. However, a person of his stature can make the state of his health really private if he wants to keep mum about it. With all the speculations I cannot help but think about this might all be a business strategy, in one way or another.

It looks like Patrick Swayze is fighting a good fight with his pancreatic cancer — which is really great news to hear.

All over the news are the following words this weekend by Patrick Swayze that is hopeful:

“…a miracle, dude.”

I don’t know why. I am juicing every day along with other treatments and all I can say is that it’s working fine and really well.”

The actor, according to reports has been undergoing chemotherapy and the new CyberKnife (robotic radiosurgery system) for the pancreatic cancer he was diagnosed with in March.

It’s really inspiring to see him up and about and getting back to work.  Like I said in my previous post, not everyone that has access and can afford the best treatments are as lucky to be responding wel

It is good to know that Patrick Swayze is holding up despite his battle with pancreatic cancer.

Seems like Patrick is not allowing his cancer to stop him from doing one thing he loves: acting.

The star of such hit films as “Dirty Dancing” and “Ghost” is going forward with plans to begin working on a new cable television series later this year despite being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in March.

Cancer experts applaud his decision to continue working, saying that nothing he could do, physically, will speed the pace of cancer and that working could even benefit him mentally.

I agree. Going back to normal routine (whatever that means!) will benefit the cancer patient mentally. When his mindset is good, he won’t give up that easily and then maybe his body will respond well to treatment. But then that is not true to all cancer patients. Each case is always different.

Read more from ABC News.

Good news to all readers here wanting to hear the latest on Patrick Swayze since his cancer announcement.

On Friday night, he appeared in public: FOXNews has the photo and story.

Swayze took time off from his grueling chemotherapy regimen to take in Friday night’s NBA playoff game in Los Angeles between the Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs.

Although Swayze’s usually ripped physique seems somewhat shrunken by his fight, he appears to be holding his own against the usually aggressive cancer that often kills within weeks.

It’s just great seeing him holding it out, don’t you think? All the best.

Reports are amass over the web the Patrick Swayze is responding well to his cancer treatment.

Last month, news broke out the Patrick Swayze has pancreatic cancer.

Patrick Swayze has had an “excellent response” to his cancer treatment, a doctor for the actor told People.

In addition, Swayze told People the outpouring of support since announcing he had pancreatic cancer has been nothing short of spectacular.

“We’re thrilled and grateful for the positive response Patrick has shown towards his treatment. Also, we can’t help but feel that all the prayers, meditations and good thoughts sent his way by everyone has made a difference. Thank you!,” Swayze and his wife, Lisa Niemi, told People.

Indeed, it is good to hear an update. We wish you well, Patrick Swayze!

Antioxidants in grape skins and red wine can kill pancreatic cancer cells by getting into the center of the cell’s energy - the mitochondria- thereby disabling its function.

Such were the findings of a team from University of Rochester Medical Center.

The new study also showed that when the pancreatic cancer cells were doubly assaulted — pre-treated with the antioxidant, resveratrol, and irradiated — the combination induced a type of cell death called apoptosis, an important goal of cancer therapy.

Although red wine consumption during chemotherapy or radiation treatment has not been well studied, it is not “contraindicated,” Okunieff said. In other words, if a patient already drinks red wine moderately, most physicians would not tell the patient to give it up during treatment. Perhaps a better choice, Okunieff said, would be to drink as much red or purple grape juice as desired.

Antioxidants or not, I just love red wine (and grapes too!). Give me a bottle of a nice red wine…i can finish it all by myself in one sitting.

Read the full report at URMC.