A risk factor is something that increases your chances of developing cancer.

It is possible to develop pancreatic cancer with or without the risk factors listed below. However, the more risk factors you have, the greater your likelihood of developing ]]>pancreatic cancer]]>. If you have a number of risk factors, ask your doctor what you can do to reduce your risk.

Risk factors for pancreatic cancer include the following:

Age

Most cases of pancreatic cancer (about 85%) occur in people over the age of fifty. The average age at diagnosis is 65.

Alcohol

]]>Chronic consumption of alcohol]]> increases the risk of pancreatic cancer.

Chemical Exposure

Some studies suggest that occupational exposure to certain chemicals may increase your risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Chemicals that seem to be particularly associated with pancreatic cancer include those used in the petroleum and dry-cleaning industries, pesticides, and dyes.

Diabetes

Although some research has shown that people with ]]>diabetes]]> have a two to three fold increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer, this finding is still under investigation.

Diet

A diet that is low in fiber and high in fat may increase your risk of developing pancreatic cancer. ]]>Obesity]]> also increases your risk.

Family History of Cancer

Some families seem to have a genetic predisposition to develop certain types of cancer, including pancreatic cancer. If your mother, father, brother, or sister has had pancreatic cancer, you are three times as likely to develop the disease yourself. The presence of ]]>colon]]> or ]]>ovarian cancer]]> within your family also increases your risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

Genetic Factors

About 10% of pancreatic cancers are due to hereditary factors. The following hereditary conditions increase the risk of pancreatic cancer:

  • ]]>Cystic fibrosis]]>
  • Familial multiple mole melanoma syndrome
  • Peutz-Jeghers syndrome
  • Non-polyposis colorectal cancer syndrome
  • Familial breast cancer syndrome
  • Hereditary ]]>pancreatitis]]>

History of Chronic Pancreatitis

If you’ve suffered from chronic pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas, you may have an increased chance of developing pancreatic cancer.

History of Gastric Resection

If you have a gastric resection in the past, your chance of developing pancreatic cancer is increased two to three fold.

Male Gender

Men are about twice as likely as women to develop pancreatic cancer.

Obesity

Obesity, especially morbid obesity, increased the risk of pancreatic cancer.

Pernicious Anemia

If you suffer from ]]>pernicious anemia]]> , your chance of developing pancreatic cancer increases.

Race

African Americans have a greater risk—30%-40%—of developing pancreatic cancer than Caucasians. People of Hispanic origin or Asian Americans are less commonly affected.

Smoking

]]> Smoking]]> and using smokeless tobacco (eg, chewing tobacco) is a clear risk factor for the development of pancreatic cancer. ]]>*¹]]> If you are a smoker, you are about three to four times as likely as a nonsmoker to develop this disease.