From the Guidelines
Pancreatic cancer is primarily caused by genetic mutations, with the most significant risk factors being smoking, age, family history, and certain genetic syndromes, as identified in the most recent study 1. The causes of pancreatic cancer are complex and multifactorial, involving both genetic and environmental factors.
- Genetic mutations, such as those in the BRCA1, BRCA2, and CDKN2A genes, play a significant role in the development of pancreatic cancer, as noted in 1.
- Family history is also an important risk factor, with having two or more first-degree relatives with pancreatic cancer increasing the risk substantially, as reported in 1.
- Chronic pancreatitis, especially hereditary forms, raises the risk of pancreatic cancer significantly, as identified in 1.
- Other risk factors, such as smoking, age, diabetes, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle, also contribute to the development of pancreatic cancer, as noted in 1.
- Certain genetic syndromes, such as Lynch syndrome, BRCA1/2 mutations, and familial atypical multiple mole melanoma syndrome, increase susceptibility to pancreatic cancer, as reported in 1.
- Heavy alcohol consumption and exposure to certain chemicals, such as pesticides, may also contribute to the development of pancreatic cancer, as noted in 1. Understanding these risk factors is crucial for identifying high-risk individuals and implementing preventive measures, as pancreatic cancer often has no symptoms until advanced stages, making prevention through risk factor modification essential for those at higher risk, as emphasized in 1.
From the Research
Causes of Pancreatic Cancer
The causes of pancreatic cancer can be attributed to various factors, including:
- Lifestyle factors such as high alcohol, fructose, and red or processed meat intake, as well as pathological conditions like diabetes, obesity, and infections 2
- Smoking and chronic pancreatitis are also considered high-risk factors for the development of pancreatic cancer 3
- Abnormal metabolism of human microorganisms, blood type, and glucose and lipid levels have been identified as important factors in the development of pancreatic cancer 3
- Inherited genetic factors, including pathogenic variants in hereditary cancer genes and common variants identified in genome-wide association studies, also play a role in pancreatic cancer risk 4
Modifiable Risk Factors
Modifiable risk factors for pancreatic cancer include:
- Cigarette smoking
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Alcohol intake
- Dietary habits such as high consumption of red or processed meat, fructose, and alcohol 2, 4 Intervening on these modifiable risk factors could prevent a considerable number of new cases of pancreatic cancer 2
Non-Modifiable Risk Factors
Non-modifiable risk factors for pancreatic cancer include: