Abstract
Despite the advancement in medical knowledge that has improved the survival rate of many cancers, the survival rate of pancreatic cancer has remained dismal with a five-year survival rate of only 9%. The poor survival of pancreatic cancer emphasizes the urgent need to identify the causes or the risk factors of pancreatic cancer in order to establish effective preventive strategies. This review summarizes the current evidence regarding the environmental (non-genetic, including lifestyle, and clinical factors) risk factors of pancreatic cancer. Based on the current evidence, the established risk factors of pancreatic cancer are cigarette smoking, chronic diabetes, and obesity. Other strong risk factors include low consumption of fruits and vegetables, excess consumption of alcohol, poor oral hygiene, and the lack of allergy history. In the future, more studies are needed to identify additional risk factors of pancreatic cancer, especially the modifiable risk factors that could be included in a public health campaign to educate the public in order to reduce the incidence of pancreatic cancer.
Highlights
Every year, approximately 460,000 cases of pancreatic cancer are diagnosed worldwide, making it the twelfth most common cancer in the world [1]
Based on the current evidence, the current recommendations to reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer include cessation of cigarette smoking, diabetes control, and maintenance of an ideal body weight (Table 2 summarizes the key points for each of the environmental factors discussed in this paper)
Other actions that may be beneficial for pancreatic cancer prevention include a diet rich in vegetables and fruits, good oral hygiene practice, and avoidance of excess alcohol consumption
Summary
While given as an adjuvant therapy, modified FOLFIRINOX had a 54.4 months overall survival rate in patients with R0/R1 resection in the PRODIGE 24/CCTG PA. trial (a multicenter randomized phase III trial comparing FOLFIRINOX vs gemcitabine as adjuvant therapy for pancreatic cancer) [17]. Both FOLFIRINOX and nab–paclitaxel plus gemcitabine combination are associated with significant adverse neutropenia events, especially in the Asian population, as compared to gemcitabine monotherapy. Environmental tobacco smoke, light to moderate alcohol drinking, physical inactivity, coffee, Helicobacer pylori infection
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
