The US actor and lead actor of Shaft film franchise, Richard Roundtree died at the age of 81 with cancer. He passed away at home in Los Angeles and the news has been confirmed by his manager Patrick MCMinn. He was suffering from pancreatic cancer. According to MCMinn, the career of Richard changed for African American leading men in the film. No one can forget the impact of Richard on the industry, he added.
Richard was born on the 9th of July 1942, in New Rochelle, New York. He started his acting career in the 1960s. With his depiction as detective John Shaft, he established himself as a groundbreaking actor at the age of 29.
The 1970s film franchise was notable because it was one of the first of what became known as Blaxploitation films, a genre that featured action pictures based on heroic black protagonists. He was also seen in different movies and TV series.
What is Pancreatic Cancer?
When cells grow in the pancreas, this type of cancer begins. The pancreas is behind the lower part of the stomach. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is considered the most common type of pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer can’t be found at its early stages when the chance of getting rid of it is high. This is because it doesn’t cause symptoms until after it has affected other organs.
When your healthcare providers create your treatment plan, they check the extent of your pancreatic cancer. Treatment options may include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, surgery, or a mix of these.
Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer
The following are some symptoms of pancreatic cancer:
Belly pain that moves to the sides or back.
Loss of appetite.
Weight loss.
Yellowish skin and the whites of the eyes, called jaundice.
Light-colored or floating stools.
Dark-colored urine.
Itching.
Diabetes that is difficult to control.
Swelling in an arm or leg, which might be because of a blood clot.
Tiredness or weakness.
Pancreatic Cancer Causes
The reasons behind why pancreatic cancer begins are unknown. When abnormal cells start to grow in the pancreas and form tumours, pancreatic cancer occurs, however, this is unclear why it happens.
Usually, healthy cells develop and die in moderate amounts. In the case of cancer, abnormal cells start to grow continuously. While the following reasons for pancreatic cancer are unknown, some factors may increase the risk of developing it:
Tobacco use
Smoking can contribute to around 20% to 35% of pancreatic cancer cases.
Alcohol consumption
If you are taking more than 2 drinks a day, it may increase the risk of having pancreatic cancer.
Chronic pancreatitis
It indicates the inflammation of the pancreas. Chronic pancreatitis can be a result of heavy drinking for a long period of time.
Weight
Obesity in adulthood may increase the risk of having pancreatic cancer.
Diet
When you have a diet rich in processed meats, sugar, fried foods, or cholesterol may increase the risk. However, experts are still finding out the exact connection between pancreatic cancer and dietary factors.
Age
People aged between 65 and 74 are intended to be tested for pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic Cancer Stages
When pancreatic cancer is diagnosed, doctors will perform some tests to check the stage of pancreatic cancer. These might include tests, such as blood tests or PET scans. The stages of pancreatic cancer are:
Stage 0: There are abnormal cells that grow in the pancreas and result in pancreatic cancer. This stage is also called precancer.
Stage 1: In stage 1, the tumour is formed in the pancreas only.
Stage 2: The tumour has affected nearby lymph nodes or abdominal tissues.
Stage 3: The tumour has affected major lymph nodes and blood vessels.
Stage 4: The tumour has affected other organs, like the liver.
Conclusion
If any of you face the symptoms mentioned above, make sure to get tested for this cancer and get treatment as soon as possible. Moreover, you can keep yourself up to date with new information on health by subscribing to Personal Care N Heal.
