Pancreatic Cancer

Prevention
The main risk factor for pancreatic cancer is preventable: smoking. About 30% of pancreatic cancers are thought to be a direct result of cigarette smoking. Other risks include:

• Age (most often seen in those older than 60)
• 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 (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.