Risk Factors for Pancreatic cancer

Risk factor list: The list of risk factors mentioned for Pancreatic cancer in various sources includes:

• Age - most cases are over 60
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Gender - men more than women.
• Race - African American are more likely than Asians, Hispanics, or Caucasians
• Family history of pancreatic cancer
• Chronic pancreatitis
• Certain chemicals
• High-fat diet
• Alcoholism

Risk factors discussion: Cigarette smokers are also more likely than nonsmokers to develop several other types of cancer, including oral cancer and cancers of the larynx, esophagus, pancreas, bladder, kidney, and cervix. Smoking may also increase the likelihood of developing cancers of the stomach, liver, prostate, colon, and rectum. The risk of cancer begins to decrease soon after a smoker quits, and the risk continues to decline gradually each year after quitting.¹

People who smoke cigars or pipes have a risk for cancers of the oral cavity that is similar to the risk for people who smoke cigarettes. Cigar smokers also have an increased chance of developing cancers of the lung, larynx, esophagus, and pancreas. ¹

Being seriously overweight may be linked to breast cancer among older women and to cancers of the prostate, pancreas, uterus, colon, and ovary. On the other hand, some studies suggest that foods containing fiber and certain nutrients may help protect against some types of cancer.¹

Studies have found the following risk factors:

• Age -- The likelihood of developing pancreatic cancer increases with age. Most pancreatic cancers occur in people over the age of 60.

• Smoking -- Cigarette smokers are two or three times more likely than nonsmokers to develop pancreatic cancer.

• Diabetes -- Pancreatic cancer occurs more often in people who have diabetes than in people who do not.

• Being male -- More men than women are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

• Being African American -- African Americans are more likely than Asians, Hispanics, or whites to get pancreatic cancer.

• Family history -- The risk for developing pancreatic cancer triples if a person's mother, father, sister, or brother had the disease. Also, a family history of colon or ovarian cancer increases the risk of pancreatic cancer.

• Chronic pancreatitis -- Chronic pancreatitis is a painful condition of the pancreas. Some evidence suggests that chronic pancreatitis may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer.

Other studies suggest that exposure to certain chemicals in the workplace or a diet high in fat may increase the chance of getting pancreatic cancer.²

Risks factors for Pancreatic cancer: medical news summaries: The following medical news items are relevant to risk factors for Pancreatic cancer:

• Diabetes and sugar level linked to risk of cancer death
• New Dietary Guidelines support numerous research results
• Pancreatic cancer surgery less common in black men
• Smoking increases the risk of development of hereditary pancreatic cancer

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