Pancreatic Cancer Causes

Unfortunately, at this time, we do not know what exactly causes pancreatic cancer. Researchers do know that pancreatic cancer is caused by a mutated gene. The mutated gene could have been passed down from a parent or could have mutated after birth.

Researchers have identified several risk factors for pancreatic cancer. A risk factor is something that increases the chance that you may develop a disease; it is not a guarantee. Some risk factors can be avoided, however, some like age and gender cannot.

Risk Factors for Pancreatic Cancer

• smoking
  
• being diabetic
  
• age - as people get older, their risk factor for pancreatic cancer increases
  
• being male
  
• suffering from chronic pancreatitis
  
• being Jewish - people of a Jewish background have a higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer