There are some
suggested factors that may affect
the risk of pancreatic cancer development. These factors include age,
race, gender, genetics, and lifestyle habits
(such as physical activities, smoking,
drinking, and diet).
Similar to all other forms of cancers, the majority
of pancreatic cancer occurs
in people age 65 or older. Thus, age is the strongest risk factor
known for
this tumor. 
Smokers have an increased risk of pancreatic cancer,
making smoking the most consistently observed environmental risk factor.
Nearly every study has shown approximately a two-fold increased risk
of pancreatic cancer in smokers compared to nonsmokers.
African-Americans are at increased risk of getting
pancreatic cancer compared with Caucasians, Hispanics, and Asians.
More men than women are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
There continues to be conflicting evidence regarding
the association of diabetes and pancreatic cancer. The possible cause
and relationship remains difficult to understand. Some studies have
indicated that insulin promotes pancreatic tumors and insulin resistance
may be an early feature of pancreatic cancer. The same conflicting
evidence seems to be true for obesity. Dietary factors may contribute to some pancreatic cancer cases, although due
to limited and inconsistent study findings the specific role remains
unclear. A high fat, high calorie diet may increase risk, while fresh
fruits and vegetables, folate, and fiber seem to lower the risk and
are potentially protective. The relationship between alcohol consumption
and pancreatic cancer is modest at best. Compared to Caucasians, however,
African-American men with a heavy alcohol drinking habit and African-American
women with a moderate-to-heavy drinking habit may be at a significantly
higher associated risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Coffee or
caffeine consumption as a risk factor is difficult to separate from
smoking and is not considered to be carcinogenic by the International
Agency for Research on Cancer. Most recent studies have confirmed
the lack of significant associations for intakes of total caffeine
and a risk of pancreatic cancer.
Some cases of pancreatic cancer exhibit a definite
familial clustering and it is estimated that 10% of cases are due
to hereditary factors. The majority of these familial clustering’s
have an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance, while other families
develop pancreatic cancer associated with cancer syndromes. In addition
to cancer syndromes, having hereditary pancreatitis, may result in
an increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer. This, however,
explains no more than 3-4% of all cases of pancreatic cancer. Cystic
fibrosis patients are also at an increased risk of developing pancreatic
cancer. The fact that not all genetically affected individuals develop
the disease strongly implies, however, that some factors other than
genetic abnormalities play a role in the development of pancreatic
cancer.
Many people with pancreatic cancer have none of these
risk factors and likewise, many people with these known risk factors
never develop pancreatic cancer. If you feel you are at increased
risk of pancreatic cancer you should discuss your concerns with your
doctor.
The registration and monitoring of pancreatic cancer-prone
families (familial pancreatic cancer
and hereditary chronic pancreatitis) are important resources for multidisciplinary
research programs that
will enable the identification of
susceptibility genes, surveillance programs, and early detection and
prevention strategies. It is of
practical importance that the rate
of occurrence of pancreatic cancer in these high-risk individuals
is significantly higher than in the
general population. Ultimately, detailed
clinical, biochemical, genetic, nutritional, molecular biological
and environmental information from
this high-risk group will provide
useful data in the identification of risk, prevention and therapy
of this dismal disease. A comparison
of the information gained from this
group and from sporadic cases will be of significant clinical and
epidemiological importance.
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