About 7,600 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer every year in the UK.
As with most cancers, the risk of getting pancreatic cancer increases with age. Most cases are diagnosed in people over 60.
Smoking significantly increases the chances of developing pancreatic cancer. Being diabetic or having inflammation of the pancreas both increase the risk. Other risk factors for pancreatic cancer include obesity and having a family history of the cancer.
Cancer Research UK is funding research into many aspects of pancreatic cancer, including finding genes that play a role in the disease and understanding how it develops. We are also investing in research to improve treatments and hope to save many more lives from this disease.
To find out more about the causes, symptoms and treatment of pancreatic cancer, please visit CancerHelp UK.
For more statistics on pancreatic cancer, have a look at CancerStats.