A trailblazer of neo-soul music and a bona fide icon, D’Angelo lost a private battle earlier this month with pancreatic cancer that has put a spotlight on a disease disproportionately affecting Black men and women.
Black Americans have higher rates of incidence and mortality from pancreatic cancer than any other racial or ethnic group. Data from the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results program show that the highest incidence rate in the United States is among Black people..
While researchers haven’t pinpointed why the disparities exist, some studies cite systemic racism, the environment, access to nutritious food and barriers to quality healthcare as causes, according to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
Often pancreatic cancer symptoms may be hard to recognize, easy to misdiagnose and often ignored until the cancer has progressed to a later, more dangerous stage.
“Early symptoms for the majority of pancreatic and gastrointestinal cancers are vague and often mistaken for diseases that aren’t cancer,” says Dr. Wasif Saif, an oncologist who leads a clinical trials team at the Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit. “This leads to a delay in diagnosis and, unfortunately, many are detected at an advanced stage.”
Individually, the symptoms — including abdominal or back pain, unintentional weight loss, diminished appetite, bloating and unusual bowel movements — aren’t definite signs of pancreatic cancer. But Dr. Leo Moore, an internist specializing in HIV and lifestyle medicine in Los Angeles, says there can be early warning signs, “especially if they start to happen together or don’t go away.”
“Rather than ask for specific tests, I recommend that patients pay close attention to their bodies so that they can provide a detailed account of what they have been experiencing,” Moore says.
Screening for GI cancers isn’t usually recommended for the average person, but is highly recommended for those with hereditary risks, such as if a parent, sibling, or child has had the disease, says Saif.
People who have Hepatitis B or C should also be regularly screened for pancreatic cancer. While the cancer is easily overlooked, Moore and Saif also recommend regular check-ups and cancer screenings for Black Americans to reduce risks of developing late-stage pancreatic cancer.
They also recommend additional screenings for patients who have higher-than-average risk factors for the disease, such as diabetes and high blood pressure. About 1 in 10 cases of pancreatic cancer are hereditary, in part because of mutations in certain genes that can be passed down, according to the National Cancer Institute.
“Genetic testing helps detect cancer by identifying inherited gene mutations that increase a person’s risk, allowing for preventive measures and early screening,” says Saif. “For those already diagnosed, genetic testing on the tumor itself can identify specific mutations that can be used to guide personalized treatment options.”
Moore says it can be challenging to connect the dots between seemingly innocuous health problems and a life-threatening disease that can quickly metastasize.
“If you notice weight loss or any of the other symptoms, take note of when you first noticed the symptoms,” he says. “If you have new abdominal pain, pay attention to where it’s located and how long it has persisted. Based on your symptoms, your doctor will order blood work, possibly an abdominal ultrasound or other imaging, such as a CT or MRI, to look closely at the pancreas and nearby organs.”
Paying closer attention to your body will pay off, Moore says.
“Our body often gives us signs when something is wrong. Getting checked as soon as symptoms appear can make all the difference,” he adds.
This story originally appeared here.