Most pancreatic cancer patients are diagnosed after the disease has spread, limiting treatment options and limited survival. As there is no routine screening test for pancreas cancer, it is important to identify high risk groups who are likely to develop or already having this cancer. The early detection efforts should be focused on people at high risk for the disease due to a genetic link or family history. There are several known risk factors for pancreatic cancer. Some can’t be changed, like your genetic link and family history of pancreatic and other cancer types. Other factors may be modifiable, like smoking and obesity. Research has shown that diabetes can be both a risk factor and an early symptom of pancreatic cancer.

Long-standing diabetes can slightly increase an individual’s lifetime risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Patients who are newly diagnosed with diabetes are most likely to have an undetected pancreatic tumor. The chance of getting pancreatic cancer increases with age. Most people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer are over the age of 60. Smoking is a significant risk factor. It may cause about 20 – 30% of all exocrine pancreatic cancer cases. People who smoke cigarettes are two times more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than people who have never smoked. People who are obese have a 20% increased risk of developing the disease compared to people who are of normal weight. The risk is even higher in people who are obese during early adulthood. People with excessive abdominal fat may have an increased risk even if they are not obese.People with chronic pancreatitis have an increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Chronic pancreatitis is common in people who consume large amounts of alcohol for many years. Hereditary pancreatitis causes recurrent inflammation of the pancreas that generally starts by the time a person is 20 years old. The risk of developing pancreatic cancer is even higher in people who have hereditary pancreatitis than it is for those with chronic pancreatitis. A diet high in red and processed meats is thought to increase the risk of getting pancreatic cancer. A diet high in fruits and vegetables may decrease the risk. Some research suggests a link between heavy alcohol use and pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer may cause only vague unexplained symptoms. Pain usually in the abdomen or back, weight loss, jaundice with or without itching, loss of appetite, nausea, change in stool, pancreatitis and recent-onset diabetes are symptoms that may indicate pancreatic cancer. If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, we urge you to speak to your doctor immediately.