Risk factors

Understanding Types of Risk Factors

There are two main types of risk factors:

• Modifiable: those you can change, like lifestyle choices
• Non-modifiable: those you cannot change such as your genes or family history.

Having risk factors doesn’t mean you will definitely get pancreatic cancer. Many people with one or more risk factors never develop the disease, and some individuals with pancreatic cancer might not have had any identifiable risk factors. For example, smokers may have a higher relative risk of developing pancreatic cancer than non-smokers. However, this doesn’t mean all smokers will develop the disease; it simply means their risk is higher than the general population.

Understanding your risk factors is crucial for making informed decisions about your health. By being aware of the factors you can control, such as smoking, diet and exercise, you can take steps to reduce your risk. At the same time, recognising the factors you can’t change, like your genetic makeup or family history, can help you and your doctor stay alert for early signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer.

Non-modifiable Risk Factors for Pancreatic Cancer Include:

• Age: The risk of developing pancreatic cancer increases with age. Most people who are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer are over 60 years old, and 50% of cases are diagnosed in individuals aged 71 and over.
• Family history and genetic syndromes: Pancreatic cancer may run in the family and/or may be linked with genetic conditions that increase the risk of other types of cancer. This is called familial pancreatic cancer. Approximately 10% of individuals with pancreatic cancer report a family history of pancreatic cancer. If you have a child, sibling, or parent who has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, your own risk of developing it might be higher, especially if more than one family member has had it.
• Individuals with certain genetic syndromes are also at higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Examples of genetic syndromes that can lead to pancreatic cancer include:
  • Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome, caused by mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes.
  • Hereditary breast cancer, caused by mutations in the PALB2 gene.
  • Familial atypical multiple mole melanoma (FAMMM) syndrome, caused by mutations in the p16/CDKN2A gene.
  • Familial pancreatitis, usually caused by mutations in the PRSS1 gene
  • Lynch syndrome, also known as hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), most often caused by a defect in the MLH1 or MSH2 genes
  • Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, caused by defects in the STK11 gene.
• Diabetes: People who have had diabetes for over five years are more likely to develop pancreatic cancer. A sudden onset of type 2 diabetes in someone over 50, especially if they are losing weight or don’t have a family history of diabetes, may also be an early sign of pancreatic cancer.
• Pancreatitis: People with chronic or hereditary pancreatitis have a higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Chronic pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas that keeps coming back over time. It is common in people who consume large amounts of alcohol over many years. Familial pancreatitis is a hereditary condition, usually beginning by the time a person is aged 20 years old.
• Pancreatic cyst: Pancreatic cysts are fluid-filled growths on or inside the pancreas. Most of them are benign, meaning they are not cancerous. However, some cysts can turn into cancer. Not all pancreatic cysts increase the risk of pancreatic cancer, but a few types do, such as mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCNs), intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) and solid pseudopapillary neoplasms.