News & Information

You may have heard that coffee or alcohol consumption will increase your risk of pancreatic cancer. Well, you’re wrong! According to the Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center at Johns Hopkins University, neither alcohol nor coffee plays a significant part in pancreatic cancer. However, there are a number of other risk factors to watch out for!

You may be more likely to contract pancreatic cancer if:

You are a smoker. Tobacco consumption doesn’t just cause lung cancer – it contains a host of carcinogens that can contribute to cancer of the pancreas. People who smoke during college are 2 to 3 times more likely to develop pancreatic cancer in later life.

You are 60 or older. Seniors are at increasing risk for pancreatic cancer; over 80% of cases are diagnosed in 60-80 year olds.

You are a man. (But plenty of women get pancreatic cancer, too!)

You have diabetes. Long-standing adult-onset diabetes may increase your chances of contracting pancreatic cancer; additionally, diabetes may be an early warning sign that you are about to develop cancer.

You eat an unhealthy diet. Cholesterol, red meats and fried foods all contribute to your risk of pancreatic cancer.

If you fit any of these criteria, you may have pancreatic cancer in your future. Taking out a cancer insurance policy is a wise plan – if you apply for cancer insurance on CancerPlans.com, you can receive a lump sum benefit upon first diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. The money can be used for whatever you need, including medical treatments, therapies or living expenses.

(1) Risk Factors for Pancreas Cancer. June 2011. The Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center at Johns Hopkins. August 6 2012. http://pathology.jhu.edu/pc/BasicRisk.php