Pancreatic cancer is caused by a combination of genetic mutations and risk factors that lead to abnormal cell growth in the pancreas. The exact cause is often unclear, but several key factors are known to increase the risk:

• Genetic mutations: Changes in certain genes can cause normal pancreatic cells to become cancerous. These mutations may be acquired during a person's lifetime or inherited from parents. Inherited mutations linked to pancreatic cancer include those in genes such as BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2, ATM, CDKN2A, and others associated with hereditary cancer syndromes

• Smoking: Tobacco use is one of the most significant risk factors. Smokers have about twice the risk of developing pancreatic cancer compared to non-smokers. Smoking-related carcinogens contribute to DNA mutations in pancreatic cells

• Excess body weight (obesity): Being overweight or obese increases the risk, possibly due to insulin-related mechanisms. People with a BMI of 30 or higher have about a 20% higher risk

• Diabetes: Especially type 2 diabetes is associated with a higher risk of pancreatic cancer, though the exact relationship is not fully understood. New-onset diabetes can sometimes be an early sign of pancreatic cancer

• Chronic pancreatitis: Long-term inflammation of the pancreas, often linked to heavy alcohol use and smoking, significantly raises the risk. Familial pancreatitis caused by inherited gene mutations also increases risk

• Age: Pancreatic cancer is more common in older adults, with most cases diagnosed in people aged 75 and older

• Workplace exposure: Heavy exposure to certain chemicals in industries like dry cleaning and metalworking may increase risk

In summary, pancreatic cancer arises from genetic mutations influenced by environmental and lifestyle risk factors such as smoking, obesity, diabetes, and chronic inflammation of the pancreas