While pancreatic cancer rates are rising in people under 50, a new survey by The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center: Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James) shows that most people continue to believe that pancreatic disease affects only older people and that there is nothing they can do to reduce their risk.

For this survey, respondents were asked about risk factors for pancreatic cancer. More than half (53%) of adults under 50 said they would not recognize the early signs or symptoms of the disease, and more than a third (37%) believe there is nothing they can do to change their risk of pancreatic cancer. More than a third (33%) also believe that only older adults are at risk.

“However, pancreatic cancer rates have increased by about 1% annually, and we are seeing this disease in people in their 40s much more frequently. “This is a worrying trend and research is needed to find out why,” he said. Zobeida Cruz-Monserrate, PhDOSUCCC co-leader – James Molecular Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention Program.

Risk factors that you can and cannot change

Cruz-Monserrate says reducing the risk of pancreatic cancer could start with maintaining a healthy weight. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases1 in 3 Americans is overweight and more than 2 in 5 are clinically obese. Obesity alone increases a person’s lifetime risk of pancreatic cancer by 20%.

On the other hand, the American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that only 10% of pancreatic cancers are related to hereditary risk (genetic markers passed from parents to children), including BRCA genes, Lynch syndrome and others.

“You can’t change your genes, but you can change your lifestyle. For most people, obesity is within someone’s power to change it. It also increases a person’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes, other cancers and cardiovascular diseases,” Cruz-Monserrate said.

More than 66,000 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2024, and fewer than 13% will reach five years of survival, according to ACS estimates.

Other modifiable lifestyle factors thought to reduce the lifetime risk of pancreatic cancer include limiting or eliminating alcohol consumption, regular moderate exercise, and a plant-based diet with little red or processed meat. .

More than half of respondents (54%) knew that genetic testing helps people understand whether they should be screened for pancreatic cancer.

Research for screening, prevention and treatment.

OSUCCC – James researchers are conducting studies to identify ways to detect early signs of pancreatic cancer, including minimally invasive ways to detect pancreatic cysts and understand the role of diabetes and chronic pancreatitis in pancreatic cancer risk. However, until science provides more answers, Cruz-Monserrate says taking steps to change lifestyle factors (especially maintaining a healthy weight) and understanding family history are key to reducing risk.

“Too often, this disease is a silent killer, showing no symptoms until it has progressed to less treatable stages. We must continue to conduct aggressive research to help us prevent, diagnose and treat this disease more effectively,” said Cruz-Monserrate, who is conducting research on the prevention of obesity-related pancreatic cancer and the impact of exercise on the development of this disease and pancreatitis.

To learn more about pancreatic cancer and research at OSUCCC – James, visit cancer.osu.edu or call 1-800-293-5066.

Survey methodology

This study was carried out by SSRS on its Opinion Panel Omnibus platform. The SSRS Omnibus Opinion Panel is a national probability-based survey, conducted twice a month. Data collection was conducted from October 4 to 7, 2024, among a sample of 1,004 respondents. The survey was conducted via web (n=974) and telephone (n=30) and was administered in English. The margin of error for the total number of respondents is +/-3.5 percentage points with a confidence level of 95%. All overall SSRS Opinion Panel data are weighted to represent the target population of U.S. adults ages 18 and older.

###

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! We are not responsible for the accuracy of press releases published on EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.