Learn how to lower your risk for pancreatic cancer and how to spot signs.

A person’s lifetime risk of developing pancreatic cancer is about 1 in 56 for men and 1 in 60 for women, according to the American Cancer Society. But people can reduce their risk by making certain lifestyle modifications, being aware of their family medical history and staying in tune with changes in their body.

“Pancreatic cancer can be challenging since most patients experience vague symptoms, which are often overlooked initially,” said Kira Soldani, NP, an advanced practice provider in surgical oncology at Vanderbilt Health. Talk to your primary care provider right away if you experience jaundice (a yellowing of the skin), changes in your stool, unexpected weight loss, or unexplained abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting.

Your best defense to lower your risk for pancreatic cancer is reducing your modifiable risk factors and being aware of the ones you cannot change.

Modifiable risk factors

One major risk factor for developing pancreatic cancer is having chronic pancreatitis. “Chronic pancreatitis is long-term inflammation of the pancreas,” Soldani explained, “and that’s often seen with patients with heavy alcohol use or smoking.” Smoking cessation and reducing alcohol consumption can help minimize the risk of pancreas cancer. The risk of getting pancreatic cancer is about twice as high among people who smoke compared to those who have never smoked, and heavy alcohol use can lead to conditions such as chronic pancreatitis, which is known to increase pancreatic cancer risk.

Certain pancreatic cysts can also transform into pancreatic cancer. Therefore, they need to be evaluated and followed.

Obesity and type 2 diabetes are also risk factors for pancreatic cancer. “There is not a specific diet to help decrease your risk, other than just eating a well-balanced diet,” Soldani explained. Talk to your primary care provider about solutions to help you reduce your risks if you have concerns about your weight, your alcohol or tobacco consumption, or managing diabetes. It is unclear whether type 1 diabetes is a risk factor, she noted.

Family history

Your family history may also put you at a higher risk. “Families can have familial or genetic risk factors, which can increase the risk of developing pancreatic cancer,” Soldani said. “What we consider ‘familial risk’ is typically having more than one or two first-degree relatives on the same side of the family who have had pancreatic cancer.” First-degree relatives are a parent, a sibling or a child.

“With inherited genetic risk factors there can be an overlap between breast, ovarian, pancreas, prostate and colon cancers, as well as melanoma,” she continued. “If patients have multiple family members on the same side with those inherited risk factors, they should consider seeing a hereditary specialist.”

Additional non-modifiable risk factors

Your age, gender and race also impact your risk for developing pancreatic cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. Risk increases with age, and the average age at the time of diagnosis is 70. Almost all patients with a diagnosis are over 45, and two-third are over 65. “Men are slightly more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than women,” Soldani said. “And African Americans are more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than non-African Americans.”

Pancreatic cancer prevention and treatment

If you or someone you love is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer or are at a higher risk for developing it, Vanderbilt’s pancreas program offers a multidisciplinary team approach that individualizes a patient’s plan of care based on their unique needs, Soldani said. “It’s kind of a one-stop shop for patients and their families,” she explained. “It allows us to really hold their hand and walk them through the process every step of the way.”