Hi everyone
We’ve been hearing a bit lately about a persons waist measurement being a good general health indicator. The focus of much of the television advertising we’ve seen has been on reducing heart disease, but the incidence of cancer has also been mentioned as having a strong link to girth size. As it turns out there has been some research in this area relevant to the incidence of pancreatic cancer in women. And the correlation is quite startling! In an article in the UK newspaper the Telegraph it was reported earlier this year that obese women who have excess belly fat are 70 per cent more likely to develop pancreatic cancer. The article referred to a study published in the British Journal of Cancer which found a link between waist-to-hip ratios and pancreatic cancer incidence in post-menopausal women.
Dr Juhua Luo, of the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, who led the research said, “We found that the risk of developing pancreatic cancer was significantly raised in obese postmenopausal women who carry most of their excess weight around the stomach. Of the American women surveyed in the study, 251 developed pancreatic cancer and when other risk factos such as smoking and age were factored out, the disease was far more prvalent in the obese than in those with small waist to hip ratios.
As readers of our book ‘Beating Pancreatitis - How to Get Healthy and Enjoy Life Again’ would know, obesity can be a factor in the development of pancreatitis and having pancreatitis increases one’s chances of developing pancreatic cancer. The relationship seems quite clear doesn’t it - to reduce the risk of developing pancreatitis keep your waist measurement within the recommended levels. This factor, we believe also has importance in the management of pancreatitis. We realize that many with pancreatitis have trouble in maintaining healthy weight and their waist measurements are low as a result of having the condition. As always, it seems to relate to the severity of the condition. Many with pancreatitis who remain overweight should think very carefully about how they are managing their health. As Dr Luo said, ” We know that carrying a high proportion of abdominal fat is associated with increased levels of insulin, so we think this may cause the link between obesity and pancreatic cancer”.
The message we think is clear - if you have a fat stomach and you have pancreatitis you are putting too much strain on your pancreas and therefore you are raising the risk of not only a greater number of pancreatitis flares but also your chances of developing pancreatic cancer.
To check on your waist-to-hip ratio take your waist measurement level with the belly button, then divide it by the hip circumference at the widest point. For men, the ratio should ideally not be over 0.9 and for women it should not go beyond 0.85.
We’d welcome the feelings of others on this matter. Please post any information or thoughts you might have on this matter.
In the meantime if you are interested you might wish to visit our site at http:www.pancreatitis-diet.com
Bye for now
Jenny & Bill
Question: Where is the widest point of hip circumference? Is it around the buttucks? If so and one has little to no buttucks…..
Thanks,
Comment by Robert Jr — November 18, 2008 @ 3:57 am
Hi Robert
The hip measurement is around the buttocks. The tape should pass around the ball and socket joint of the hip (as opposed to around the iliac crest, which is above the hip joint itself, but often confused as being the hip). So yes it does pass around the buttocks and if one has very small buttocks that does affect the measurement. Nevertheless, those subjects in the study were a large sample with a range of buttock sizes I imagine. The important factor highlighted in the study is the size of the stomach in relation to the hip circumference. Steps should be taken to reduce stomach fat.
Bill
Comment by sankey — November 22, 2008 @ 10:19 am
Informative blog. Keep up the great work. All the best, Jesus
Comment by High Protien Low Carb — February 5, 2009 @ 12:27 pm
My son has been told that he has chronic pancreatitis. They also told him that there’s nothing that they can do other than give him something for pain.
Comment by Debbie — March 28, 2009 @ 6:31 am
Hi Debbie
There is much more to treating pancreatitis than taking drugs for pain relief. If that is the advice you have received from medical practitioners then I would be looking for alternative opinions.
We advocate a 5 phased approach based around 5 principles, including:
Principle 1. Dealing with Emotions and Relationships.
Principle 2. Know Your Body, Know Your Pancreatitis – Understanding the nature of YOUR pancreatitis.
Principle 3. Active Pain Management.
Principle 4. Eating For Optimal Strength, Control and Well-Being.
Principle 5. Treating and Healing Yourself – Living and Enjoying Life When You Have Pancreatitis.
We’ll have more information on these in upcoming posts, but in the meantime Debbie don’t just accept that pain management is all that can be done. Seek another medical opinion if you are concerned that you are just being ‘fobbed off’!
Best
Bill
Comment by sankey — March 28, 2009 @ 12:57 pm
A month ago I was hospitalized for two weeks with severe pancreatitis and gallbladder stones. After two weeks of no eating or drinking I finally was sent to surgery and my gallbladder and lap-band (of 5 years) was removed.
Two days after returning home from the hospital severe abdominal pains started, mostly down in my right pelvis area. I have been to the ER 3 times since coming home and have been diagnosed with diverticulitis (and undiagnosed), degenerative disc disease and high lipase levels that after one night in the hospital lowered to high-end normal.
My question is this: Are there any of you out there that suffer with this disease, only have pain in the abdominal/pancreas area or do you sometimes have it all over? My pain at first felt like a hot poker was being stabbed in my left hip. Then last week the pain has shifted to my right lower abdomen. This week I feel like I have been punched with an upper-cut by a world prized fighter right under my rib cage. I have been sent home with Lortab which does little- to- nothing for the pain and I have been put on steroids being told that my degenerative discs were causing the abdominal pain. The prednisone course is done and I am still in pain. I’m to the point that I feel as if I am going to have to self treat this because my doctors here in my small community write me off as being nothing but a hypochondriac. I’ve had one Dr. tell me it will take months to get over, while another doctor the same day tell me it’s not my pancreas because I only had an attack because of my gallstones, and not one health professional has given me any feed back as to what to eat, how to live, or information on what this disease is. I feel as if I am going crazy!
I just feel like I am going out of my mind. Any stories of your pain symptoms would be greatly appreciated!! I have purchased each of the three books and am on my way to living with this but trying to make intelligent decisions in my care and see if I really am going crazy or not.
Comment by Betsy — March 31, 2009 @ 7:35 am
I have pancreatitis for 2 years now, and as far as what I eat, is everything with no fat. Thay make a lot of products out there, with out fat, and that really helps, with my pain. I am also taking Vicodine, and I have a patch”Fental” 50mg, and most of the time I don’t have much pain maybe 2-4. I hope this helps you. I am learning all the time to. I know its hard, but I am glad for this web site.
Comment by Trent Wade — April 24, 2009 @ 9:38 am
Thanks Trent. It’s good that your pain treatment protocol has been effective. Please keep us informed of your progress. We appreciate your input.
Best wishes
Jenny & Bill
Comment by sankey — April 28, 2009 @ 8:15 pm
gallstones diet…
I personally agree with your comments, but there will always be some people who may not feel the same….
Trackback by Eric — July 12, 2009 @ 2:20 pm