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CancerQuest > Introduction to Patient Information > Introduction to Cancer by Type > Pancreatic Cancer: Introduction > Pancreatic Cancer: Risk Factors

Pancreatic Cancer: Risk Factors

There are both genetic predisposition and behavioral risk factors for pancreatic cancer.

Genetic Predisposition

There is no identified familial form of pancreatic cancer but there is a genetic link in about 5% of patients. A mutation in the p16 tumor suppressor gene has been associated with increased risk. Alterations in BRCA-2,a breast cancer susceptibility gene have been identified in families with multiple cases of pancreatic cancer. The rates of pancreatic cancer are slightly higher in men than in women.⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾

Risk Factors

Age: most diagnoses are made between the ages of 60-80

Increased Body Mass Index (BMI): BMI is used to determine whether or not an individual is at a healthy weight. Overweight and obese people have higher BMI values. There is a correlation between increased BMI and pancreatic cancer.

Smoking: Pancreatic cancer rates in smokers are over twice that of non-smokers.

Diabetes: Abnormal function of the pancreas is associated with pancreatic cancer. In diabetes, the pancreas fails to produce adequate amounts of the hormone insulin.

Chronic Inflammation: Pancreatitis is the chronic inflammation of the pancreas. Chronic inflammation is associated with elevated levels of DNA damage and other factors that favor the development of cancer. When combined with smoking and use of smokeless tobacco, pancreatitis is strongly linked to increased risk of pancreatic cancer.⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾

References for this page:

1. AB Lowenfels, P Maisonneuve. Epidemiologic and etiologic factors of pancreatic cancer. Hematology/Oncology Clinics of North America. 2002; 16:1-16. [PUBMED]
2. AB Lowenfels and P Maisonneuve. Epidemiology and Prevention of Pancreatic Cancer. Japanese Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2004; 34(5): 238-44. [PUBMED]