Risks for pancreatic cancer

Some things can affect your risk, or chance, of developing cancer. Certain behaviours, substances or conditions can increase or decrease the risk. Most cancers are the result of many risks. But sometimes cancer develops in people who don't have any risks.

This information is about risks for a type of pancreatic cancer called pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). To find out more about other types of cancer in the pancreas, see, for example, neuroendocrine tumours (NETs).

The risk of developing pancreatic cancer increases with age. It usually occurs in people 50 years of age and older. Men develop pancreatic cancer more often than women, though more research is needed to determine why.

Pancreatic cancer rates are higher in certain countries and ethnic groups. In North America, Black people (including people of African or Caribbean ancestry) develop pancreatic cancer more often. Similar to sex, it is unclear what causes this difference.

Some of the things that increase the risk for pancreatic cancer may also cause precancerous conditions. Precancerous conditions of the pancreas include pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN). They are not cancer, but they can sometimes become pancreatic cancer if they are not treated. Find out more about precancerous conditions of the pancreas.

If you have a genetic condition that increases your risk for pancreatic cancer, you may need to visit your doctor more often. Talk to your doctor about your risk and if you need to have certain tests to check for pancreatic cancer.

Several things could increase your risk for pancreatic cancer. Some of these risks can't be changed. But in some cases, there are things you can do to lower your risk.

The following can increase your risk of pancreatic cancer:

Smoking tobacco

Excess weight

Diabetes

Chronic pancreatitis

Family history of pancreatic cancer

Certain genetic conditions

Tall adult height

Smoking tobacco increases your risk for pancreatic cancer.

All forms of tobacco, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes and smokeless (spit) tobacco, increase your risk.

The more you smoke and the longer you smoke, the greater your risk. The risk of developing pancreatic cancer decreases with time after you quit smoking.

Learn more about how to live smoke-free.

Overweight and obesity increase the risk for pancreatic cancer.

Learn more about how to have a healthy body weight.

Diabetes (also called diabetes mellitus) is a chronic disease in which the pancreas can't make enough insulin or the body can't properly use the insulin it makes. Because the body needs insulin to use and store glucose (a type of sugar) for energy, diabetes leads to high blood sugar levels without proper management.

People with diabetes have an increased risk for pancreatic cancer. Studies suggest that people who developed diabetes within the last 3 years have the greatest risk. It is unclear if this is because diabetes is an early sign of pancreatic cancer, or because the impact of diabetes on the body is greatest in the first few years.

Chronic pancreatitis is long-term inflammation of the pancreas, resulting in permanent damage and fibrosis (buildup of scar tissue) of the pancreas.

People with chronic pancreatitis have an increased risk for pancreatic cancer. Studies also suggest that the risk for pancreatic cancer is higher when chronic pancreatitis is first diagnosed. It's unclear if this is because chronic pancreatitis is an early sign of pancreatic cancer, or because the impact of chronic pancreatitis on the body is greatest when the condition first starts.

Research also suggests that episodes of acute pancreatitis (sudden, short-term inflammation of the pancreas) may increase the risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

Having a family history of pancreatic cancer increases your risk of developing the disease.

The more relatives that have had pancreatic cancer and the more closely related you are to them, the greater your risk. People who have more than one first-degree relative (a parent, sibling or child) with pancreatic cancer have the greatest risk.

Familial pancreatic cancer (FPC) is when 2 or more first-degree relatives in a family have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

A genetic condition is a disease caused by a change (mutation) in one or more genes. Having certain genetic conditions increases the risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

Familial atypical multiple mole melanoma syndrome (FAMMM), also called dysplastic nevi syndrome, is an inherited condition where a person has many moles (usually more than 50) that often look different than normal moles. FAMMM increases the risk of certain cancers, including melanoma skin cancer and pancreatic cancer.

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is an inherited condition that causes hundreds to thousands of polyps to develop, mainly on the lining of the colon and rectum. People with FAP have a higher risk of developing colorectal, small intestine, stomach, adrenal gland, thyroid and pancreatic cancer.

Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) syndrome is an inherited condition that significantly increases the risk of breast, ovarian, prostate, fallopian tube and pancreatic cancer.

Hereditary pancreatitis is a genetic condition that causes repeated episodes of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) starting in childhood. People with this condition typically develop chronic pancreatitis by early adulthood. Chronic pancreatitis increases the risk for pancreatic cancer.

Li-Fraumeni syndrome is an inherited condition that is associated with an increased risk of developing certain types of cancers, including breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, brain tumours, acute leukemia, soft tissue and bone sarcomas and adrenal cortical carcinomas. People with Li-Fraumeni syndrome tend to develop several different types of cancer before the age of 45.

Lynch syndrome( also called hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer, or HNPCC) is an inherited condition that causes a large number of polyps to develop in the lining of the colon and rectum, but not as many polyps as are found in FAP. There are 2 types of Lynch syndrome. Type A increases the risk for colorectal cancer, while type B increases the risk of several cancers, including pancreatic cancer.

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome is an inherited condition that causes dark spots on the mouth and fingers and polyps in the large and small intestines. This condition increases the risk of developing colorectal, small intestine, stomach, pancreatic, breast and other types of cancer.

There is some evidence that tall adults have an increased risk for pancreatic cancer.

The following have been linked with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer, but more research is needed to know for sure that they are risks:

• drinking alcohol
• red meat and processed meat
• a diet high in saturated fat
• certain infections, including Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV)
• contact with chemicals at work, including chemicals used in dry cleaning, plastic manufacturing and the aluminium industry
• gum (periodontal) disease
• A, B and AB blood types
• cystic fibrosis (CF)

There is some evidence that food and drinks that contain fructose may also increase the risk of pancreatic cancer. Fructose is found in many foods and drinks, both naturally and as an added sugar. More research is needed to determine if the source of the fructose (naturally occurring or added) affects whether it increases the risk of pancreatic cancer or not.

Statins (drugs to lower fat and cholesterol levels in the blood) have been linked with a decreased risk of pancreatic cancer, but there is not enough evidence to know for sure whether they lower the risk.

Significant research shows no link between pancreatic cancer and drinking coffee.

To make the decisions that are right for you, ask your doctor questions about risks. Learn how cancer can be prevented and what you can do to reduce your risk.