Factors that increase the risk of pancreatic cancer

People with diabetes, chronic pancreatitis, overweight, and smoking are at high risk of pancreatic cancer.

The pancreas releases enzymes that aid in digestion and produces hormones that help control blood sugar levels. Pancreatic cancer begins in the tissues of the pancreas, an organ located below the stomach. The most common type of cancer that forms in the pancreas is pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

The disease is highly curable in the early stages but is rarely detected at this stage because the symptoms are not obvious. In the advanced stages, common symptoms include abdominal pain spreading to the back, loss of appetite or unintentional weight loss, jaundice, yellow eyes, pale stools, dark urine, fatigue, itchy skin...

Dr. Hoang Nam, Department of Gastroenterology, Tam Anh General Hospital, Hanoi, said that smokers have twice the risk of developing pancreatic cancer compared to non-smokers. About 25% of the cases are related to smoking habits.

Chronic pancreatitis is another risk factor for pancreatic cancer. Drinking too much alcohol can lead to chronic pancreatitis. People with gallstones are also at increased risk of pancreatitis. Inflamed cells secrete toxins that cause genetic damage, causing pancreatic cells to grow uncontrollably, leading to pancreatic cancer. Chronic pancreatitis that progresses over many years increases the risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

The more alcohol people drink over a long period of time, the higher the risk of chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer.

Being extremely overweight (BMI of 30 or higher) increases your risk of pancreatic cancer by about 20%.

In addition, some inherited genes are also linked to the disease. According to the American Cancer Society, 10% of pancreatic cancers are caused by genetic mutations passed down from parents to children. For example, inherited mutations in the BRCA2 gene increase the risk of pancreatic cancer.

According to Dr. Nam, eating too much red meat and processed meat can increase the risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Dr. Hoang Nam cited a number of studies showing a link between soft drinks and pancreatic cancer, but more research is needed to confirm this link. People should not drink too many high-calorie soft drinks and limit foods high in sugar to promote a healthy lifestyle and avoid many diseases, including obesity and diabetes.

Eating a lot of red meat and processed foods increases the risk of pancreatitis. Photo: Freepik — Eating a lot of red meat and processed foods increases the risk of pancreatitis. Photo: *Freepik*

Other risk factors that promote the development of pancreatic cancer include age (common in the 60-80 age group), male gender, people with type 2 diabetes, pancreatic cysts, exposure to industrial chemicals such as dry cleaning chemicals and metal processing.

Dr. Hoang Nam recommends that everyone should have a scientific lifestyle and a healthy diet to reduce risks. They should quit smoking and drinking, maintain a suitable weight, lose weight if overweight, exercise regularly and eat lots of vegetables, fruits and whole grains.

A healthy diet that limits fried foods, fast foods, and spicy foods is good for your health. Prioritizing colorful fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can reduce the risk of cancer.

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