Pancreatic cancer only rarely occurs in people under 45. Most people who are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer are over the age of 60

People with diabetes are more likely to be at risk, and especially people over 50 with new onset diabetes (Type 2 Diabetes) or people who have long-standing diabetes who experience a sudden shift in insulin levels.

People with family members who had pancreatic or other cancer may be more at risk. Up to 10% of all pancreatic cancer cases are the result of inherited genetic variants. An Inherited Cancer Genetic Risk Test is recommended to assess an individual’s risk for inherited cancer (including pancreatic cancer).

People with pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas, have an elevated risk to develop pancreatic cancer. Chronic pancreatitis is associated with heavy alcohol use and smoking.

A higher body-mass index is associated with an increased chance of being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Obesity can increase pancreatic cancer risk by up to 20%.

Studies estimating that smokers may be 2x more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than non-smokers. Other factors may include excessive alcohol consumption, processed meats, unhealthy fats, and too much sugar.

African-Americans and people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent seem to have a slightly higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

Exposure to industrial chemicals including pesticides, asbestos, benzene, heavy metals, and chlorinated hydrocarbons which includes PCBs and DDT are just some of the toxic chemicals that have been linked to pancreatic cancer.