A closer look at the pancreas located deep in the abdomen, between the stomach and the spine. But there are population level studies which demonstrate associations between specific behaviors or characteristics and pancreatic cancer. 5th ed. The risk of getting pancreatic cancer is about twice as high among smokers compared to those who have never smoked. The Journal of the American Medical Association, Aug. 22-29, 2001; vol 286: pp 921-9. It's not always clear what causes it. Anyone can get pancreatic cancer. Some people inherit an increased risk for pancreatic cancer, but factors such as diet, smoking, obesity and diet, gender, and age also play a significant role in causing the disease. About 57,600 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer each year. This may affect how the pancreas works, including the functioning of the exocrine or endocrine glands. The genes that are responsible for the cell division are as follows: Imaging tests that create pictures of your internal organs. January 2008; vol 134: pp 95-101. Gallstones cause inflammation of your pancreas as stones pass through and get stuck in a bile or pancreatic duct. This damage is often referred to as mutations. Tax ID Number: 13-1788491. Pancreatic cancer is the fifth most common cause of cancer death over all. 5th ed. Smoking is one of the most important risk factors for pancreatic cancer. … Some of the DNA changes often seen in sporadic (non-inherited) cases of pancreatic cancer are the same as those seen in inherited cases, while others are different. Scar tissue may form in the pancreas, causing loss of function. Pancreatic cancer often goes undetected until it's advanced and difficult to treat. While pancreatic cancer is more common in men than in woman, and more common among African Americans than other population groups, an exact cause of the cancer … The American Cancer Society couldn’t do what we do without the support of our partners. When cancer that first formed in the pancreas spreads to other parts of the body, doctors classify it as stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Many gene changes are probably just random events that sometimes happen inside a cell, without having an outside cause. A number of types of pancreatic cancer are known. Pancreatic cancer may cause digestive problems and weight loss. Weight loss can be caused by incomplete digestion … There are two different types of pancreatic cancer, depending on whether it affects the exocrine or endocrine functions. Abdominal surgery 2. If you want to prevent pancreatic cancer, you have to quit smoking.… Some risk factors have been identified, but the story is far from complete. Older age, as most people are diagnosed after age 65A large study demonstrated tha… Most gene mutations related to cancers of the pancreas occur after a person is born, rather than having been inherited. Michaud D.S. From basic information about cancer and its causes to in-depth information on specific cancer types – including risk factors, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment options – you’ll find it here. Help make it a reality. Abeloff’s Clinical Oncology. Obesity, alcohol and inactivity raise your risks. They may form in the deep veins in the legs for example, or in smaller veins anywhere on the body. While long-standing diabetes is a known risk factor for pancreatic cancer (see Risk factors), the cancer can itself cause diabetes, in which case recent onset of diabetes could be considered an early sign of the disease. The symptoms vary depending on where the cancer is in the pancreas (in the head, body or tail of the pancreas). Some people inherit gene changes from their parents that raise their risk of pancreatic cancer. For reprint requests, please see our Content Usage Policy. For example, many sporadic cases of pancreatic cancer have changes in the p16 and TP53 genes, which can also be seen in some genetic syndromes. Pancreatic Cancer: Causes and Risk Factors, The Diagnosis & Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer. The cause of pancreatic cancer is unknown. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, April 6, 2005; vol 97: pp 518-24. These mutations cause up to 10% of pancreatic cancer cases. People diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis have an increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer. We can even find you a free ride to treatment or a free place to stay when treatment is far from home. 20 to 30 % of pancreatic cancers are from smoking. Ride to treatment or a free ride to treatment or a combination of risk for! 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