What causes pancreatic cancer

The biggest single risk factor is smoking. Up to a third of pancreatic cancers may be caused by smoking. Cigarette smoke contains chemicals called nitrosamines which are known to cause cancer.

Beer also contains nitrosamines, although the level of these has been cut as much as possible. There has been some evidence of a link between heavy drinking and cancer of the pancreas. Drinking is certainly linked to pancreatic disease and this is a risk factor for cancer. Exposure to some industrial chemicals such as beta-naphthalene and benzidine have been linked to pancreatic cancer.

Read more at http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=2523