title: Modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for pancreatic cancer: A review.
abstract: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is associated with a poor prognosis and a high case-fatality rate. The reasons for poor prognosis are low rates of curative resection due to local infiltration and distant metastasis. To increase survival rates of patients with pancreatic cancer, early detection through surveillance and screening is important. However, screening could only be cost-effective in high-risk populations. Identification of significant risk factors therefore assumes significance. Risk factors could be non-modifiable or modifiable. Non-modifiable risk factors include increasing age, familial cancer syndromes, Afro-American race, hereditary and other forms of chronic pancreatitis, diabetes, and non-O blood group. Important modifiable risk factors include smoking, obesity, dietary factors such as non-vegetarian diet, and toxins. Preventive strategies at the population level and an effective screening program targeted at high-risk people may help in prevention and early detection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Shallu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Midha
authors.affiliation: Department of Digestive Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
authors.forename: Saurabh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chawla
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. Electronic address: pkgarg@aiims.ac.in.
authors.forename: Pramod Kumar
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Garg
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics*; D021441:Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D040941:Heredity; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008019:Life Style; D009154:Mutation; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control; D050500:Pancreatitis, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor
keywords: Chronic pancreatitis; Familial; Pancreatic cancer; Risk factors; Smoking