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Risk factors :
Most scientists agree that these things affect the risk of pancreatic
cancer. Some may apply to you, but others may not.
Age and pancreatic cancer :
The risk of pancreatic cancer goes up with age. The disease is rare in
people under 45, and most cases are found in people over 65.
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Sex and pancreatic cancer :
Men have a greater risk of pancreatic cancer than women. This difference,
though, is getting smaller over time in the United States. Exactly why is
unclear. One possible reason is changes in the rates of cancer risk factors,
like smoking.
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Vegetables and pancreatic cancer :
People who eat at least 3 servings of vegetables a day have a lower
risk of pancreatic cancer. Scientists aren't sure why. One reason may be that
they contain fiber. Fiber may help prevent cells in the pancreas from becoming
cancerous.
1 serving of vegetables is:
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1 cup of raw leafy greens like lettuce or spinach
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½ cup of other vegetables, raw or cooked
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½ cup of cooked beans or peas
People who eat vegetables also have a lower risk of colon cancer, heart
disease, diabetes and stroke. And women who eat vegetables have a lower risk of
breast cancer.
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Smoking cigarettes and pancreatic cancer :
People who smoke cigarettes have a higher risk of pancreatic cancer. Cigarette
smoke contains chemicals that damage the genetic structure (DNA) of the body's
cells. DNA damage causes cells to become cancerous. But after a person stops
smoking, new cells replace damaged ones. People who smoke cigarettes have a
higher risk of cancers of the bladder, kidney, pancreas, lip, mouth, tongue,
larynx, throat and esophagus. Women who smoke have a higher risk of cervical
cancer. People who smoke even have a higher risk of other diseases like
diabetes, bone loss (osteoporosis), emphysema and bronchitis!
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Diabetes and pancreatic cancer :
Diabetes occurs when the body doesn't make enough insulin or when the
body can't use the insulin it makes. Insulin is a hormone that converts food
into energy. People who have diabetes have a higher risk of pancreatic cancer.
Scientists aren't sure why. Diabetes may be a sign that islet cells in the
pancreas don't work. Islet cells help other cells in the pancreas grow
normally. When they stop working, cells in the pancreas can become cancerous.
People who have diabetes also have a higher risk of heart disease and stroke.
And women who have diabetes may have a slightly higher risk of uterine
cancer.
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Chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer :
Chronic pancreatitis occurs when the pancreas swells for a long period of time.
People who have chronic pancreatitis have a higher risk of pancreatic cancer.
Scientists aren't sure why. One reason may be that it causes cells in the
pancreas to grow and divide too quickly. Cells have less chance to repair the
DNA damage that may have taken place. DNA damage can lead to pancreatic cancer.
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Family history and pancreatic cancer :
People who have a mother, father, brother, or sister with pancreatic
cancer have a higher risk of the disease. This is because some pancreatic
cancer is linked to mutations in the genetic structure (DNA) of the body's
cells. These mutations can be passed on from generation to generation. With
many diseases, people who have a family history have a higher risk. A family
history raises the risk of several cancers like bladder, kidney, skin cancer.
It also raises the risk of diabetes, bone loss (osteoporosis) and stroke.
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