Survey: Many adults under 50 don’t understand risks or signs of pancreatic cancer

A new survey commissioned by The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James) shows that most American adults under 50 wouldn’t recognize signs of pancreatic cancer. Many believe that pancreatic cancer affects only the elderly, and they didn’t realize there are things we can do to help prevent this cancer.

The facts tell a different story.

“Pancreatic cancer rates have been rising by about 1% annually, and we are seeing this disease in people who are in their 40s much more regularly. This is a concerning trend, and one for which research is needed to learned why,” says Zobeida Cruz-Monserrate, PhD, co-leader of the OSUCCC – James Molecular Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention Program.

Survey results

For the survey, conducted by SSRS on its Opinion Panel Omnibus platform, people were asked about pancreatic cancer risk factors.

• 53% of adults under age 50 said they would not recognize the early signs or symptoms of the disease
• 37% said they believe there is nothing they can do to change their risk of pancreatic cancer
• 33% said they believe only older adults are at risk for pancreatic cancer
• 54% said they knew that genetic testing helps people understand if they should be screened for pancreatic cancer

The risk factors for pancreatic cancer (some of which you can change!)

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), just 10% of pancreatic cancers are linked to genetics, such as the BRCA genes, Lynch syndrome and hereditary markers passed down in biological families.

Maintaining a healthy weight, says Dr. Cruz-Monserrate, is one way to reduce pancreatic cancer risk.

“You can’t change your genes, but you can change your lifestyle. For most people, obesity is within someone’s power to change. It also increases a person’s risk for type 2 diabetes, other cancers and cardiovascular disease.”

You can also limit or completely eliminate alcohol consumption; get regular, moderate exercise; and eat a plant-based diet, avoiding red meat and processed meat.

What the OSUCCC – James is doing to help improve pancreatic cancer outcomes

At Ohio State, we’re conducting studies to identify more ways to screen for the early signs of pancreatic cancer. This includes using minimally invasive techniques to look at pancreatic cysts, and studying how diabetes and chronic pancreatitis can affect pancreatic cancer risk.

Dr. Cruz-Monserrate is one of just a few scientists in the United States studying how fat, muscle, obesity and exercise affect pancreatic cancer. We’re also using next-generation genetic technology to create targeted therapies that more effectively treat many cancers, including pancreatic cancer. Ohio State scientists are examining biomarkers in people’s blood to uncover more clues about the presence and extent of someone’s pancreatic cancer, building to better treatment.

We’re able to perform a robotic-assisted Whipple surgery for patients with pancreatic cancer, making minimally invasive incisions that reduce blood loss and improve recovery times. We’re leading a clinical trial of a “smart drug” that can target only the genetic mutations of cancer that contribute to cancer cells’ growth — this particular drug combats fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFR)-positive pancreatic cancer.

Until scientific research gives us all the answers we need, though, Dr. Cruz-Monserrate says it’s important to change the lifestyle factors we can to reduce cancer risk. For pancreatic cancer, maintaining and healthy weight and understanding your family history are key.

“This disease is too often a silent killer, with no symptoms until it has progressed to less treatable stages,” she says. “We must continue to aggressively pursue research that will help us prevent, diagnose and treat this disease more effectively.”

How the survey was conducted

SSRS’ Opinion Panel Omnibus is a nationwide, twice-monthly, probability-based survey. This survey’s data was collected from Oct. 4 to Oct. 7, 2024, from a sample of 1,004 respondents online and over the phone. It was administered in English. The margin of error for total respondents is +/-3.5 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. Data are weighted to represent the target population of American adults 18 or older.