A worrying rise in cases over the past 30 years
Statistics show an alarming increase in the number of diagnoses between 1990 and 2018: +2.7% annually in men and +3.8% in women. If this upward curve continues, this cancer could become the second deadliest, just after lung cancer. But what explains this constant rise?
Tobacco and alcohol: proven dangers
The human pancreas
This discreet organ, nestled behind our stomach, is essential for digestion and blood sugar regulation. When a tumor develops there, its late diagnosis often complicates treatment.
Among the identified culprits, cigarettes and alcoholic beverages top the list. Experts from the IARC attribute 20–30% of cases to them. Another factor to consider is type 2 diabetes, which may increase the risk by 1.8.
Dr. Hollebecque, an oncologist, remains cautious:
“We still do not have all the keys to understanding this dramatic increase,” he acknowledges.
