[Pancreatic carcinoma--epidemiology and risk factors]

The incidence of pancreatic cancer has increased steadily over the past decades throughout the world. Pancreatic cancer is the fifth leading cause of death from cancer in the western world. In 1991 1074 Austrians died of pancreatic cancer. Over 80% of cases occur in the age group of 60-80 year olds. The incidence is higher in men than in women by a ratio of about 1.5 to 1. There is strong evidence that pancreatic cancer risk is increased with cigarette smoking, increasing protein intake and fat consumption and nonalcoholic chronic pancreatitis. A reduction in the incidence of pancreatic cancer will only be achieved through selected prevention programmes.