The pancreas lies behind the lower part of the stomach in the abdomen. Its function is to help in the digestion of food and maintain blood sugar. There are many types of pancreas cancer but the most common one typically occurs in its cell linings. Its exact cause is difficult to determine. However, it is good to be aware of the risk factors of pancreatic cancer.

1. Smoking
It is not surprising that smoking comes first on the list of risk factors for pancreatic cancer. Individuals who smoke are at double the risk than non-smoking people. According to the American Cancer Society, a quarter of pancreatic cancer cases occur because of cigarette smoking. Quitting tobacco may decrease the risk to a huge extent.

2. Weight and alcohol
Individuals who do not undergo many physical activities and are overweight are more prone to pancreatic cancer. Consuming food high in fats and calories leads to obesity and thus should be avoided. A study conducted in 2012 by Annals of Oncology found that individuals who consume more than nine or more soda-based or alcoholic drinks per day are also at risk of developing pancreatic cancer. But more research needs to be done on this.

3. Diabetes
The American Cancer Association found out that individuals with type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop pancreatic cancer. In certain individuals, the onset of diabetes is a sign of pancreatic cancer. The surgery performed to treat cancer also brought down the levels of diabetes in them. This is, however, not valid for all pancreatic cancer patients.

4. Age, gender, and race
The older the age, the more likely it is for one to develop pancreatic cancer. About 90 percent of patients are over 55 years. The risk of getting pancreatic cancer is higher in men than women probably because of high tobacco smoking rates. African American individuals are more at risk compared to Asian, Hispanic, or white individuals. Also, those from Ashkenazi Jewish heritage are at a higher risk of developing this condition.

5. Genetic mutations and syndromes
Pancreatic cancer may develop because of inherited genetic mutations like BRCA2 or other syndromes. These include hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) syndrome, familial atypical multiple mole melanoma (FAMMM) syndrome, Lynch syndrome, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, hereditary pancreatitis (HP), Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS), and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).

6. Family history
If there’s a history of pancreatic cancer in one’s family, then they are are more likely to develop the disease or other types of cancers. This is known as familial pancreatic cancer. If two or more blood relatives have this condition, the ASCO suggests undergoing screening to detect any early signs. One can even talk to a doctor to understand the risks and treatment options.