For a long time, the disease remained largely unnoticed. However, today, pancreatic cancer has become the focus of medical attention: in France, more than 15,000 diagnoses are now recorded annually, a 50% increase in just one decade. This dramatic increase makes it one of the most alarming cancers of our time.
Between 1990 and 2018, the number of new cases increased by 2.7% annually in men and 3.8% in women. If this trend continues, pancreatic cancer could soon become the second leading cause of cancer death, after lung cancer. This begs the question: what explains this rapid increase?
Pancreatic cancer: the flammable nature of cancer, the scientific exploration of inattentive pistes
Alcohol and tobacco: factors well identified, but insufficient.Located behind the stomach, the pancreas is a discreet but vital organ, responsible for digestion and blood sugar regulation. When a tumor develops there, it often remains silent for a long time, delaying diagnosis and complicating treatment. Among the known causes, tobacco and alcohol are the leading culprits. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) estimates that they are responsible for 20 to 30% of cases. Another factor not to be overlooked is type 2 diabetes, which increases the risk by 1.8 times. However, as Dr. Antoine Hollebecque, an oncologist specializing in digestive cancers at the Gustave Roussy Institute, points out, these factors alone are not enough to explain the rapid rise of the disease: "The problem is that no one knows precisely all the causes of this increase."
Heredity – a factor that shouldn't be ignored
A genetic predisposition has been identified in approximately 5% of cases. Certain genes, particularly those associated with breast cancer, may also increase the risk of pancreatic cancer. The risk is also higher when multiple family members are affected by the disease. Therefore, if you have a family history of pancreatic cancer, it is recommended to discuss this with your doctor to establish a personalized monitoring plan.
Pollution, Additives, Stress: Environmental Factors Remain Unclear
Scientists are also examining the environment. Air pollution, pesticide residues, food additives… All of these elements may play a role, even if evidence remains limited. Modern lifestyles, with their reliance on highly processed foods and chronic stress, are also suspected. Pancreatic cancer typically develops between the ages of 60 and 70. Treatment is made even more difficult because it often progresses asymptomatically in the early stages, delaying diagnosis.
What are the current survival prospects?
The data remain alarming: the median survival after diagnosis is still less than a year. Only a small percentage of patients – approximately 20% – can benefit from surgery combined with chemotherapy, which increases the chances of remission. Five-year survival rates remain between 5 and 10%, and ten-year survival rates remain very low, comparable to those seen in the 1970s, according to the American Cancer Society. That's why research and prevention are currently the most promising tools for reversing this trend. Addressing risk factors and adopting a healthy lifestyle can yield real results.
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