Causes and Risk Factors
Like most cancers, there is no clear answer to what causes pancreatic cancer. Experts, however, have identified several risk factors associated with the disease, which include:
- Age: Pancreatic cancer risk increases with age, with the majority of cases occurring in individuals over 65 years old.
- Tobacco Use: Cigarette and cigar smoking and any other form of tobacco use are the most significant risk factors for pancreatic cancer. Smokers are twice as likely to be diagnosed with the disease compared to non-smokers.
- Family History and Genetics: A family history of pancreatic cancer, as well as certain genetic syndromes such as hereditary pancreatitis, Lynch syndrome, and familial atypical multiple mole melanoma (FAMMM) syndrome, can increase the risk.
- Chronic Pancreatitis: Long-standing inflammation of the pancreas can elevate the risk of developing pancreatic cancer.
- Diabetes: Individuals with diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes, may have an increased risk of pancreatic cancer. The reason for this is not yet fully understood.
- Obesity: Being overweight or obese is linked to an increased risk of pancreatic cancer. People in this category are about 20% more likely to develop the disease. Carrying extra weight around the waist may also be a risk factor—even in people who are not very overweight.
- Dietary Factors: Some research has suggested that the consumption of a diet high in red and processed meats may contribute to an increased risk of pancreatic cancer. However, it should be noted that more research is needed on this subject.
- Alcohol: Various studies have linked heavy alcohol use and pancreatic cancer. One reason may be due to the fact that heavy alcohol use can lead to conditions such as chronic pancreatitis, which is known to increase the risk of pancreatic cancer.
- Chemical Exposure: Exposure to certain chemicals, such as those used in the metalworking and dry cleaning industries, may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer.
- Race/Ethnicity: For reasons not yet fully understood, African Americans are at a slightly higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer compared to other racial and ethnic groups.
When to See a Doctor
You should make an appointment with your doctor about pancreatic cancer if you continually experience signs and symptoms of the disease, such as the ones listed above. Additionally, if you have any of the risk factors associated with pancreatic cancer, you should consider getting checked periodically and discussing your concerns with your healthcare team. Early detection and diagnosis of pancreatic cancer can significantly improve treatment options and outcomes.
Our Cancer Services
Depending on the type of cancer and how far it has spread, BASS Cancer Center and the BASS Medical Group offers a wide range of treatment options, including surgery, radiation therapy, and systemic therapies.
Our state-of-the-art cancer center features a full-service medical oncology clinic, including infusion suite, multiple exam rooms, and a PET/CT scanner. We also provide the most technologically advanced radiation oncology treatment in California. Our cancer experts use an Elekta VersaHD CT-Guided linear accelerator with Visionrt’s AlignRT Surface Guided technology (SGRT) and an MR-Guided Linear Accelerator (ViewRay MRIdian).
The VersaHD and MRIdian augment each platform’s capabilities and give the patient and BASS physician an unprecedented ability to tailor a radiotherapy treatment course best fit for each person’s case. Our AlignRT SGRT platform utilizes innovative optical technology to accurately track a patient’s position before and during treatment without exposing them to any additional radiation (commonly needed by other radiotherapy platforms for maintaining setup). Additionally, SGRT allows some patients the choice to avoid permanent marks on their bodies.
