Every year, some 35,000 Americans succumb to pancreas cancer. Scientists cannot pinpoint what causes pancreas cancer, which develops rapidly and evades detection during its early stages. However, they have identified a number of risk factors, including age, tobacco use, diet, high body weight and other medical conditions.
Age
The greater the age, the greater the risk for pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer is rare in persons under 40 but relatively common in persons over 55. According to Oncologychannel.com, a website created and monitored by board-certified doctors, 90 percent of pancreas cancer cases occur in persons over 55, and 70 percent occur in persons over 65.
Tobacco Use
Tobacco use causes as many as one-third of all pancreas cancers. Cigarettes, cigars and chew all increase the risk, and scientists suspect that nitrosamine chemicals are to blame. Some foods, beverages and latex products contain nitrosamines as well.
Diet
Pancreas cancer may result from diets high in meats, fats or sugars. Fresh fruit and veggies may lower this risk. In particular, folate from leafy greens, lycopene from watermelon and tomatoes and vitamin C may help prevent pancreas cancer.
High Body Weight
Unhealthy eating or genetic factors may lead to high body weight, or obesity. Though the exact reason is unknown, scientists suspect that pancreas cancer can result, at least in small part, from obesity's effect on insulin levels. Insulin, a hormone that muscles use to absorb sugar, is produced in the pancreas, and as body weight increases, so does insulin production.
Other Medical Conditions
Other medical conditions may also contribute to pancreas cancer. For example, diabetes, ulcers and chronic pancreas inflammation all elevate the risk.
Chronic pancreas inflammation, or pancreatitis, may be caused by a person's genes, an injury or alcoholism. Scientists have identified alcohol specifically as a risk factor. Approximately 70 percent of chronic pancreatitis cases result from long-term heavy drinking, and chronic pancreatitis increases the risk of pancreas cancer.
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