Risk factors
Although the exact causes of pancreatic cancer are unknown, there are five factors that can increase someone’s risk of developing it:
1. Age
This is the biggest risk factor for pancreatic cancer. Peak incidence is in the 65-75 year age group but 35 per cent of patients are under the age of 652 .
2. Smoking
A study estimated that around 29 per cent of pancreatic cancer cases are attributable to smoking. Five years after stopping smoking, the risk may be reduced to that of a non-smoker.3