We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

How do I Reduce my Pancreatic Cancer Risk?

By Emma Lloyd
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 5,428
Share

Pancreatic cancer is a difficult disease to diagnose; because of this, more than 50% of people have metastasized cancer at the time of diagnosis. For this reason, it is wise to take steps to reduce pancreatic cancer risk. There are no well-established recommendations for reducing pancreatic cancer risk, but a healthy lifestyle and good nutrition may play a role.

Worldwide, pancreatic cancer is the fourth most deadly cancer for both men and women. The incidence rate of the cancer is 8-13 cases per 100,000 people, with differences in cancer incidence in several racial groups. This type of cancer has a poor prognosis; only one in twenty people survive more than five years after diagnosis.

Several factors, including lifestyle choices, are believed to increase individual pancreatic cancer risk. Some of these factors are circumstances which cannot be changed. For example, age is a risk factor, meaning that older people are more at risk. Most people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer are over 45 years of age, and around 70% are older than 65. Certain genetic mutations may also increase the risk. These factors cannot be changed, but an awareness of the increased risk is useful because it may prompt the individual to have regular check-ups to screen for the cancer.

Many other pancreatic cancer risk factors are circumstances which individuals can modify. One of the most important is cigarette smoking, as the risk of pancreatic cancer can increase by 20% to 50% for a smoker. For a long-time smoker, giving up the habit may reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer significantly. It may not cut the risk in half, however, due to the possibility of cellular damage having already occurred due to smoking.

Diet is also thought to play an influential role in pancreatic cancer risk. Some medical studies have shown that people with diets high in fat and meat have an increased risk. While this association has not been conclusively proven, it may be worthwhile to reduce the intake of these foods for many health-related reasons. Chronic exposure to certain chemicals, including gasoline and some types of insecticides, can also increase the risk; therefore another prevention measure is to avoid prolonged chemical exposure.

Certain chronic diseases may increase the risk of developing pancreatic cancer. People with chronic pancreatitis, diabetes, and chronic cirrhosis of the liver are more likely to develop this disease. In addition, people who undergo upper digestive tract surgery may also have an increased risk of pancreatic cancer. Again, while these factors cannot necessarily be changed, an awareness of the increased risk is important for pancreatic cancer prevention.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/how-do-i-reduce-my-pancreatic-cancer-risk.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.