How common is cancer of the pancreas (adenocarcinoma of the pancreas) and what causes it?
This is now the sixth most common cause of cancer death in the UK, with around 7000 new patients diagnosed every year in this country alone. It is common in older people, with a peak incidence in the 65-75 years age-group. It is slightly more common in males, and in black people. Tobacco smoking increases the risk. Certain genetic factors and medical conditions can increase the risk of developing pancreatic cancer: • 5-10% of patients with pancreatic cancer have a family history of the disease. If one has two first-degree relatives with this cancer, one is at a higher risk of getting this disease, compared to the average population. • Some rare high-risk families may have a mutation of the BRCA2 gene.
