Since the death of Steve Jobs, pancreatic cancer is getting a lot of publicity. Unfortunately, pancreatic cancer is so deadly that only 5% of sufferers survive the disease. Sadly this is because pancreatic cancer is rarely recognized at an early stage when it is most treatable. Symptoms, which usually consists of abdominal pain and jaundice, do not show its ugly head until the cancer is at an advanced state. As well, there really isn't a way for doctors to do prescreening tests for pancreatic cancer.

The treatment of pancreatic cancer is very limited. Right now surgery is the only viable option if the cancer has not spread which is followed up with chemotherapy, radiation, and/or drugs. Steve Jobs underwent surgery to remove his tumors in 2004 and then had a liver transplant in 2009, however there is no scientific evidence that a liver transplant can cure pancreatic cancer. Patrick Swayze died of pancreatic cancer in 2009, only 20 months after being diagnosed. The fact that Steve Jobs had survived so long with his cancer is said to be consistent, however it is known that 50% to 80% of people diagnosed will die within the first 5 years.

According to the American Cancer Society, about 1 and 71 people will get pancreatic cancer, which is the 4th leading cause of death from forms of cancer after lung, colon, and breast cancer. The older one is, the chances of contracting it goes up. Out of all pancreatic cancer sufferers, 90% of them are over the age of 50 to which most patients are diagnosed when they are over the age of 70. Also, men are more likely to be victims than women and African Americans are more susceptible to the disease than Caucasians are.

There are no clear cut ways to prevent pancreatic cancer, however, the American Cancer Society says that carcinogens may be associated with the disease. It is suggested that cigarette smoking is a main factor in about 30% of all patients, therefore ceasing that habit is recommended, as well as exercising, consuming healthy foods such as vegetables and nuts, and taking certain vitamins such as vitamin D will lower the risk.

With the death of Steve Jobs, Apple lovers everywhere are in mourning. You can bet there will be an iPhone application that will prescreen the pancreas for cancer soon. His untimely death came one day after the announcement of the iPhone 4S which happens to be very convenient for Apple. With the death of someone so loved and influential, hopefully the innovations and technology will be a top priority to aid in the early prescreening and treatment of pancreatic cancer.