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Pancreatic CancerMost pancreatic tumors originate in the duct cells or in the cells that produce digestive enzymes (acinar cells). These tumors account for nearly 95 percent of pancreatic cancers. When these cells are healthy, they grow and divide in an orderly way. When DNA is damaged in these cells by certain things, cells may begin to grow out of control and eventually form a tumor. What damages DNA in the majority of cases of pancreatic cancer is unknown, but a small percentage of people develop the disease as a result of a genetic predisposition. These people who have a close relative, such as a parent or sibling, with pancreatic cancer have a higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer themselves.

Development of other genetic diseases have been associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer, including familial adenomatous polyposis, nonpolyposis colon cancer, familial Breast cancer associated with the BRCA2 gene, and hereditary pancreatitis. Only about 10 percent of pancreatic cancers result from an inherited tendency. A greater number are caused by environmental or lifestyle factors, such as smoking, diet and chemical exposure. Smokers are two to three times more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than nonsmokers are. This is probably the greatest known risk factor for pancreatic cancer, with smoking associated with almost one in three cases of pancreatic cancer. A diet high in animal fat and low in fruits and vegetables may increase your risk of pancreatic cancer as well.

People who work with petroleum compounds, including gasoline and other chemicals, have a higher incidence of pancreatic cancer than people not exposed to these chemicals on a regular basis. Resent research has also shown that chronic, advanced gum disease seem to be associated with development of pancreatic cancer, but by some unknown mechanism.

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14y ago

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