Anthropometric factors and pancreatic cancer in a population-based case-control study in the San Francisco Bay area

To investigate the association between pancreatic cancer, anthropometric factors, physical activity and caloric intake.

Participants in our population-based case-control study of adenocarcinoma of the exocrine pancreas (532 cases, 1701 frequency-matched controls) in the San Francisco Bay Area were accrued between 1995 and 1999 and interviewed in-person. Data were analyzed by sex in age-adjusted unconditional logistic models and main effects were considered significant for two-sided p-values < or = 0.05.

Odds ratios were elevated for body mass index (BMI) at age 25 years (4th versus 1st quartile: odds ratio (OR) = 2.0, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.4-3.1), maximum BMI (OR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.2-2.7) and usual adult BMI (OR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.4-3.2) among men. Odds ratios were elevated for increased caloric intake among men (4th versus 1st quartile: OR = 2.6, 95% C: 1.7-3.8). Increased physical activity was suggestive of decreased risk in men and women although CIs included unity. Our results suggest that increased BMI and caloric intake are associated with pancreatic cancer among men.

These results are consistent with other cancer studies and support further research to determine the mechanism by which increased BMI may influence the development of pancreatic cancer.