Pancreatic cancer can be hard to spot early. But if you know what factors could raise your risk, you can take steps to lower it. At Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, we’re here to help you understand your risk, support your health goals and guide you through next steps, like screening or genetic counseling.
What increases your risk for pancreatic cancer?
Most of the time, people with pancreatic cancer don’t know what caused it. Certain risk factors may increase the chance of developing it.
There are some pancreatic cancer risk factors you can change:
- Smoking or tobacco use: One of the strongest known risk factors
- Obesity: Having a body mass index (BMI) over 30
- Poor diet: Eating a lot of foods that don’t provide much nutrition
- Chemicals: Long-term exposure to pesticides, solvents, asbestos and certain fumes
Risk factors for pancreatic cancer you can’t change include:
- Age: Risk increases after age 55, which is when pancreatic cancer is diagnosed most often.
- Family history: Having a parent, sibling or child with pancreatic cancer or another digestive system cancer raises your risk.
- Inherited gene mutations: BRCA1/2, Lynch syndrome and other genetic syndromes can increase your risk.
- Chronic pancreatitis: Long-term inflammation of the pancreas may lead to changes in pancreatic cells.
- Type 2 diabetes: This is linked to higher risk, especially when it’s diagnosed later in life.
- Race and ethnicity: Black Americans and people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent may have a higher risk.
If you have any of these risk factors, talk to your health care provider about whether you need screenings or preventive care.
Can pancreatic cancer be prevented?
There’s no guaranteed way to prevent pancreatic cancer, but healthy habits may help reduce your risk:
- Don’t smoke or use tobacco products
- Limit alcohol and avoid binge drinking
- Eat a diet high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains
- Maintain a healthy weight and stay physically active
- Limit your exposure to pesticides, solvents, asbestos and certain other chemicals
- Follow medical guidance for managing diabetes, pancreatitis or other chronic conditions that cause inflammation
What to know about genetic risk for pancreatic cancer
About 1 in 10 people with pancreatic cancer inherited a change in certain genes that increases their risk.
You may want to consider genetic counseling or testing if you:
- Have two or more close relatives with pancreatic cancer
- Have a family history of BRCA mutations, Lynch syndrome or other cancer syndromes
- Are part of a high-risk group, such as Black Americans and people with Ashkenazi Jewish heritage
If you’ve had close relatives with pancreatic cancer, prevention may also include genetic testing or early screening.
Genetic testing can help spot changes in your DNA that may raise your risk. If you test positive, your care team can recommend earlier screening, lifestyle changes or risk-reducing strategies for you and your family.
Should I get screened for pancreatic cancer?
Pancreatic cancer screening isn’t recommended for most people. But if you are at high risk because of your family history or a known genetic mutation, your health care provider may recommend screening tests.
Screening may include:
- Imaging tests: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) or MRI can give your health care team a close look at your pancreas.
- Blood tests: Markers like CA 19-9 show whether you have high levels of a substance that could be a sign of pancreatic cancer or another health problem. This test is used along with other tools, not on its own.
- Regular follow-up: Your provider may recommend rechecks every six to 12 months if they find anything that’s a cause for concern.
If you’re not sure about your risk, contact our prevention clinic to learn more so you can decide what’s right for you.
Banner MD Anderson’s Pancreas Cancer Prevention Clinic
If you have a strong family history of pancreatic cancer or a known genetic risk, the Pancreas Cancer Prevention Clinic at Banner MD Anderson may be able to help.
At this specialized clinic, you can expect:
- Personalized risk assessments
- Genetic counseling and testing
- Advanced imaging and screening tools
- Ongoing monitoring and support
The goal is to detect any early changes before symptoms appear, when cancer may be easier to treat.
Talk to your doctor about your risk
Not sure where to start? Talk with your health care provider about your personal and family health history.
You don’t have to figure it out on your own. We’re here to help you take the next step with confidence.
More about pancreatic cancer
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