Risk Factors for Pancreatic Cancer

Smoking

Smoke and cancer-causing agents harm the pancreas. This can change the how the cells work, which can make the turnover rate higher. The risk goes higher with the number of years as a smoker and the number of cigarettes smoked. Smoking counts for all forms such as pipes, cigars, and smokeless types.

Past Health Issues

Your chances of pancreatic cancer are higher for:

• Obesity
• Long-term diabetes
• Chronic pancreatitis
• Liver problems
• Helicobacter pylori infection—causes ulcers or other problems that cause your stomach to make more acid

Drinking more than 3 drinks a day may not change your risk by itself. But, alcohol use raises the risk of or worsens health problems. This, in turn, makes the risk of pancreatic cancer higher. Talk to your doctor if you are having trouble controlling how much you drink.

Genes and Your Family    TOP

Problems with your genes can be there when you’re born. Others may appear later in life. Pancreatic cancer is linked to many genetic syndromes. These are:

• Familial multiple mole melanoma syndrome—linked to skin cancer
• Lynch syndrome—linked to colon cancer
• Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome—linked to the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes
• Familial pancreatitis
• Peutz-Jeghers syndrome—rare, but linked to changes in the digestive tract

Having someone in your family with pancreatic cancer makes your risk higher. Having other cancer types within your family also changes your risk.

Race and Ethnicity    TOP

Black people have a higher risk of pancreatic cancer than White people. But, it's less common in those who are Hispanic or Asian.