Socioeconomic characteristics, life style, diabetes, family history of cancer and risk of pancreatic cancer

Objective: To investigate the relationship between socioeconomic characteristics, life style (coffee, alcohol and tobacco consumption), diabetes mellitus, first-degree family history of cancer and risk of exocrine pancreatic cancer. Design: Hospital-based case-control study. Methods: One hundred and fifty patients with exocrine panceatic cancer and 160 hospital controls were interviewed by trained personnel when still in hospital. Results: A statistically significant trend of increased risk of exocrine pancreatic cancer with a higher level of education was observed [relative risk (RR) = 1.55, confidence interval (Q) 1.10–2.19]. No association with other social characteristics (marital status, occupation and place of residence) and coffee, alcohol and tobacco consumption was found. There was a significantly increased risk of exocrine pancreatic cancer as the weekly consumption of spirits increased (RR = 1.52, Cl 1.06–2.19). Diabetes was associated with an increased risk of exocrine pancreatic cancer only when diagnosed less than 1 year prior to the interview (RR = 8.14, Cl 2.19–30.4). Conclusions: Our study confirms that there is an increased risk of exocrine pancreatic cancer associated with alcohol consumption. In addition, we observed a relationship between high socioeconomic status and risk of developing exocrine pancreatic cancer.