Download Nationally, February is Gallbladder and Bile Duct Cancer

Nationally, February is Gallbladder and Bile Duct Cancer Awareness. The gallbladder is a small,
pear-shaped, green-colored organ located under the liver. Bile, produced by the liver and stored in the
gallbladder, is carried to the small intestine via a series of small tubes or bile ducts. When released into
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the small intestine bile helps digest fats in foods.
Gallbladder and Bile Duct Cancers can be difficult to diagnose due to their location or a lack of symptoms
in the early stages of gallbladder cancer development. Gallbladder cancer may be detected when checked
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for gallstones, when it is removed or by testing neighboring organs. Some signs and symptoms of this
cancer include jaundice or yellowing of the skin and eyes, abdominal pain or lumps, bloating, nausea and
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vomiting, and fever. If detected before spreading, gallbladder cancer can be treated successfully. Bile
duct cancer is rare, fairly aggressive and difficult to treat. Symptoms include jaundice, skin becomes very
itchy, and stools that are white in color.3
Reduce the Risk:
Some risk factors that may increase a person’s chances of getting gallbladder and bile duct cancer include: older age, having
gallstones and/or gallbladder polyps, smoking, obesity, being female, Mexican or Native American ethnicity, or having a family
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history of this type of cancer. Although many of the risk factors for gallbladder and bile duct cancers are beyond our control, we
can reduce the risk by:
• following cancer screening guidelines
• not smoking tobacco and not breathing secondhand smoke
• maintaining a healthy weight for our height
Resources:
“The C Word” is a news brief of the GRU Cancer Center. For cancer information visit: www.gru.edu/community. To request exhibits or
speaking engagements, contact Chavone Hollimon, MSM, Community Outreach Coordinator at [email protected] or 706-446-5122.
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American Cancer Society, cancer.org/cancer/gallbladdercancer
National Cancer Institute, http://www.cancer.gov/types/gallbladder/patient/gallbladder-treatment-pdq
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Mayo Clinic, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bile-duct-cancer/basics/definition/CON-20034125
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Cancer.Net, cancer.net/cancer-types/gallbladder-cancer/overview
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GRU Cancer Center
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Mailing address: 1120 15th Street, CN-3115, Augusta, Georgia 30912
Augusta, Georgia 30912
t. (706) 721-8353
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f. (706) 721-8787
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Physical address: 1411 Laney Walker Blvd., CN-1171,