A Combined Healthy Lifestyle Score and Risk of Pancreatic Cancer in a Large Cohort Study

Abstract

According to Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) 2000-2003 statistics, the incidence of pancreatic cancer in the United States ranks 10th in men and 9th in women; however, mortality ranks 4th in both men and women. Because pancreatic cancer is difficult to detect at a potentially resectable stage and remains therapeutically intractable, prevention is the primary hope for reducing the burden of this disease. Cigarette smoking and obesity have been consistently associated with increased risk of pancreatic cancer. Findings on dietary intake and physical activity have been inconsistent.^1,2