Pancreatic Cancer

The pancreas is a gland that secretes enzymes that aid digestion and hormones, which help regulate the metabolism of sugar. Pancreatic cancer is the 12th most common cancer worldwide. According to Globocan 2020 estimates, there were approximately 496,000 new diagnoses globally. 263,000 men were diagnosed, and 233,000 women were diagnosed. Pancreatic cancer incidence rates vary globally, and Japan had the highest rate in the world, with the United States ranking #31.1

Pancreatic Cancer

A few risk factors for pancreatic cancer include:2

  • Age: Most patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer are over the age of 45. The average age at the time of diagnosis is 70.
  • Gender: Men are more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than women.
  • Race: Blacks are slightly more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than Caucasians.
  • Family History
  • Tobacco Use
  • Being Overweight
  • Diabetes
  • Chronic Pancreatitis
  • Workplace Exposure to Certain Chemicals: e.g. dry cleaning and metal working industries
  • Inherited Genetic Syndromes

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