Pancreatic Cancer Risk Factors

The main risk factors for pancreatic cancer include smoking, obesity, chronic pancreatitis, diabetes, certain genetic factors, family history, and older age. Lifestyle factors such as heavy alcohol use and specific workplace exposures also contribute to risk.

Lifestyle/Modifiable Risk Factors

Smoking and tobacco use are responsible for about 20–30% of pancreatic cancer cases, with risk rising based on duration and intensity of use.
Obesity or excess body weight increases risk by approximately 20–60%, especially for individuals with a high body mass index.
Type 2 diabetes, especially long-standing diabetes, raises risk by approximately 1.5–2 fold.
Chronic pancreatitis, often caused by heavy alcohol use or smoking, increases risk two- to threefold.
Heavy alcohol consumption (more than three units per day) is linked to increased risk, especially where alcohol use leads to chronic pancreatitis.
Workplace exposure to certain chemicals in industries such as dry cleaning and metalworking may raise risk.

Non-Modifiable Risk Factors

Older age: Most cases occur in people over 60; it’s uncommon under age 40.
Family history of pancreatic cancer, or of inherited genetic mutations such as BRCA2, Lynch syndrome, or familial atypical multiple mole melanoma (FAMMM) syndrome, significantly raises risk (information related to genetics and pancreatic cancer).
Hereditary pancreatitis increases risk more than chronic pancreatitis alone (information related to genetics and pancreatic cancer).