A test to detect the early signs of pancreatic cancer is good news for those at risk for the disease.

Known as one of the deadliest cancers, pancreatic cancer has, up to this point, been difficult to diagnose in it’s earliest stages when possible life saving treatment would be most effective.

In recent years, researchers have been investigating minimally invasive ways to find cancer by looking for so-called “field effects,” which are changes that occur in nearby tissues as a result of cancer growth. For instance, tumors require an increased blood supply. This means tissue in the vicinity of a cancer might have enlarged blood vessels, and a depletion of oxygen in the blood. Wallace likened the test to a metal detector that beeps faster the closer you get to the cancer.

Cancer risk is raised by consuming 2 strips of bacon a day.

Unless you don’t want to raise your risk of cancer by a fifth, then consider cutting back.

New research by the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm found that eating 1.8 ounces (50 grams) of processed meat a day can increase the risk of pancreatic cancer by 19 percent.
For people consuming 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of processed meat, the increased risk jumps to 38 percent and 57 percent for those eating 5.3 ounces (150 grams) a day.

Processed foods should be avoided in a healthy diet.