Pancreatic cancer trends in Europe: epidemiology and risk factors

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer is the 12th most common cancer worldwide and the seventh leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. However, it is the seventh most common cancer in Europe. The estimated number of cases of pancreatic cancer worldwide in 2018 was 458,918 with a male to female ratio of 1:1.13. Among those 458,918 patients, 132,559 cases were found in Europe. Rates of pancreatic cancer are 3–4 times higher in the developed world. With incidence and mortality rates being very close, pancreatic cancer is considered one of the deadliest of all cancers. Lifestyle in developed nations, including the rise in physical inactivity and obesity, tobacco smoking, consumption of alcohol, dietary factors, and occupational exposures, may be responsible for the increased incidence of pancreatic cancer. Updated statistics on the epidemiology of pancreatic cancer along with a better understanding of the risk factors are essential for the primary prevention of this disease.

Keywords

• risk factors
• epidemiology
• pancreatic cancer
• incidence
• mortality