Obesity and high insulin levels: two important risk factors for pancreatic cancer

A new large-scale genetic research study led by researchers from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has identified elevated body mass index (BMI) and increased fasting insulin levels as causal risk factors for pancreatic cancer. The researchers also provided intriguing new evidence on the mechanistic pathways that may play a role, in particular for insulin-related pathways. Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal cancers, with 5-year survival rates of about 5%. Therefore, the identification of modifiable risk factors can play a critical role in informing preventive measures.

Carreras-Torres R, Johansson M, Gaborieau V, Haycock PC, Wade KH, Relton CL, et al.
The role of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic factors in pancreatic cancer: a Mendelian randomization study
J Natl Cancer Inst. Published online 28 April 2017;
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jnci/djx012

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