Pancreatic cancer begins in the tissues of the pancreas, an organ in the abdomen that lies behind the lower part of the stomach. The most common type of cancer that forms in the pancreas begins in the cells that line the tubes that carry digestive enzymes out of the pancreas (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma).

Pancreatic cancer is rarely found early, when it is most curable. This is because it often does not cause symptoms until after it has spread to other organs.

Factors that can increase the risk of pancreatic cancer include the following:

• Smoke
• Diabetes
• Chronic inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
• Family history of genetic syndromes that may increase cancer risk, including a BRCA2 gene mutation, Lynch syndrome, and familial atypical malignant melanoma mole syndrome (FAMMM)
• Family history of pancreatic cancer
• Obesity
• Advanced age, as most people are diagnosed after the age of 65

We can all contribute in biomedical research progress. If you wish you can donate the left over material after diagnosis obtained during the treatment process (blood samples, biological liquids and tissue) for carrying out biomedical research without causing you any additional inconvenience. There is a network of biobanks managing human biological samples for biomedical research.