Pancreatic Cancer
Prevention
The main risk factor for pancreatic cancer is preventable: smoking. About 20% of pancreatic cancers in the UK are thought to be a direct result of cigarette smoking. Other risks include:
- Age: 75% occur in people 65 or older
- Gender men are 30% more likely to develop pancreatic cancer
- Chronic pancreatitis
- Diet: a diet high in meats and fats appears to increase risk
- Diabetes mellitus
- Exposure to some industrial chemicals, such as certain pesticides and petroleum products
- Family history: an inherited tendency may be a factor in 5% to 10% of cases
It should be noted that most people who have known risk factors do not get pancreatic cancer, and many who do get pancreatic cancer have none of these risk factors.
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