CBS Executive Don Hewitt Dies of Pancreatic Cancer

CBS News executive Don Hewitt, 86, has died of pancreatic cancer. Hewitt is credited with creating “60 Minutes” in 1968, which changed the face of television news reporting and proved that networks could make money with news shows. Pancreatic cancer has been the subject of a number of our blogs:

• Pancreas cancer strikes again: Dream Team Basketball Coach Chuck Daly Dies
• Treatment of pancreas cancer
• Cancers of the pancreas: Patrick Swayze, Ruth Bader Ginsburg

What is the pancreas and what does it do?

The pancreas is a fish-shaped organ (with a head to the right and tail to the left) which lies behind the stomach. It is made up of two types of cells:

1. Exocrine cells: These cells produce a pancreatic juice that includes enzymes which aid in the digestion of food in the small intestine, breaking up proteins,carbohydrates and fats.
2. Endocrine cells: These are clustered in small groups (called the Islets of Langerhans)scattered throughout the pancreas. These cells produce important hormones such as insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin.