Pancreatic cancer is known to spread silently, with symptoms that don’t show up until the disease has already reached an advanced stage. That’s scary enough. But it’s compounded by the fact that there’s no definitive way to prevent this type of cancer.
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“There aren’t many modifiable risk factors for pancreatic cancer,” says surgeon Robert Simon, MD. “That means there’s not much you can change about your life or your habits to help lower your risk of getting this type of cancer.” But Dr. Simon adds that there are some steps that you can take that may help.
How to prevent pancreatic cancer
Most of the main risk factors for pancreatic cancer are beyond your control — like age, race, sex and other genetic factors. But these proactive approaches may help.
1. Make healthy lifestyle changes
Healthy habits like eating whole foods and exercising help lower your overall risk of cancer in general. And a few habits may help reduce your risk of pancreatic cancer in particular.
- Don’t smoke. “Tobacco smoking is a known risk factor for pancreatic cancer,” Dr. Simon says. “So, if you do smoke, one critical thing you can do to lower your risk is to quit.”
- Stop (or limit) drinking. Alcohol use contributes to pancreatitis, which is an inflammation of the pancreas. And chronic pancreatitis is a risk factor for developing pancreatic cancer. “If you’ve had multiple episodes of pancreatitis, consider limiting the amount of alcohol you drink, as it can contribute to pancreatic damage,” Dr. Simon recommends.
- Adopt a healthy diet. Turning to a low-fat diet, like the Mediterranean diet, can benefit your heart health and help you manage your weight, which helps lower your risk of a host of health conditions.
These lifestyle changes can be hard to make, even when you really want to make them stick. So, if you find that you can’t do it alone, don’t hesitate to ask your healthcare provider for help.
“They have access to a variety of resources that can support your efforts to quit smoking, scale back your drinking and change your diet,” Dr. Simon encourages.
2. Manage other health conditions
Some other conditions raise your risk of developing pancreatic cancer, so it’s important to try to keep them in check.
- Chronic pancreatitis: Most of the time, an inflamed pancreas is an acute (temporary) condition. But chronic pancreatitis can cause scar tissue in your pancreas, which raises your cancer risk. “If you’ve had multiple episodes of pancreatitis, talk to your physician to try to figure out the cause,” Dr. Simon urges.
- Obesity: Having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher makes you about 20% more likely to develop pancreatic cancer. “Losing weight is no small feat,” Dr. Simon acknowledges. “But any steps you can take toward lowering your BMI may help lower your pancreatic cancer risk, too.”
- Pancreatic cysts: There are many types of pancreatic cysts, and some are thought to raise your risk of pancreatic cancer. “If you’re found to have these cysts, they’re something your healthcare provider will want to keep an eye on,” Dr. Simon says.
- Type 2 diabetes: Having type 2 diabetes raises your risk of developing pancreatic cancer — and conversely, a pancreatic cancer diagnosis is often followed by a diabetes diagnosis. “If you suddenly develop diabetes in older age, it may actually be a symptom of pancreatic cancer,” Dr. Simon notes. “This should prompt your provider to take a look at your pancreas.”
In some cases, making lifestyle changes can ward off these conditions. But you can work with your healthcare provider to manage and modify them when they do occur.
3. Ask about genetic testing
In some cases, undergoing genetic testing can provide important insight into your risk of pancreatic cancer by revealing inherited syndromes that raise your risk.
“It’s important to recognize that screening is not recommended for adults who are asymptomatic and have an average risk — which is the vast majority of people,” Dr. Simon emphasizes.
But your provider may recommend testing if you know your biological family health history and it includes:
- Two or more first-degree relatives who’ve had pancreatic cancer
- One first-degree relative who has had early-onset pancreatic cancer
- One first-degree relative and multiple second- and/or third-degree relatives who’ve had pancreatic cancer
Still, having a genetic predisposition to pancreatic cancer doesn’t mean it’s a given that you’ll develop it, too. Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter’s family lost his father and three siblings to the disease — but he never developed it himself.
4. Recognize the symptoms
“Pancreatic cancer doesn’t have as many warning signs as other cancers,” Dr. Simon reiterates. “It’s challenging to identify it early.”
The most common symptoms all occur in the later stages of the disease. So, it’s critical to see a healthcare provider ASAP if you notice symptoms.
“The most common single symptom of pancreatic cancer is jaundice, which causes a yellowing of the skin and eyes along with skin itchiness,” he continues. “But you’ll actually first notice that it turns your urine a very dark color.”
Other symptoms include:
- Abdominal pain
- Light-colored stool (poop)
- New-onset diabetes
- Unexplained weight loss
“If you experience these symptoms, see your doctor promptly so you can be evaluated,” Dr. Simon urges.
Final thoughts
For a variety of reasons, it’s still very difficult to detect pancreatic cancer in its early stages. There’s no go-to screening that can catch it early — for example, like mammograms can do for breast cancer or colonoscopies can do for colon cancer.
“Researchers are working to find better ways to identify pancreatic cancer at a point when treatment can be most effective,” Dr. Simon says. “Advances in treatment continue to evolve, too.”
It’s natural to feel uneasy when you consider the possibility of developing a disease with so many unknowns. But scientific progress is being made every day.
In the meantime, focusing on what you can do — from managing your personal health to seeking care when something feels off — is a practical place to start.