If You Have Diabetes, Are You At Risk for Pancreatic Cancer?

If you are living with diabetes or prediabetes, you may have heard that there is a link between diabetes and pancreatic cancer. Please be reassured that most people with diabetes do not develop pancreatic cancer. However, it is known that almost one in four people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer have diabetes, so your concern is understandable, and you should learn more.

The questionnaire below can help you understand your possible risk factors, so you can discuss them with your doctor. After taking the quiz, you can read our articles about the relationship between these diseases, the signs and symptoms to watch for, and the research that is being done around this connection.

Are YOU at Risk?

Diabetes and Pancreatic Cancer Risk Awareness Quiz

Learn more about the relationship between diabetes and pancreatic cancer, understand who might be at risk, and find out what to do if you are at risk.

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Understanding the Connection Between Pancreatic Cancer and Diabetes

Did you know that newly-diagnosed diabetes can be a symptom of pancreatic cancer? Researchers recognize that there is a link between diabetes and pancreatic cancer and are working to better understand this relationship. The ultimate goal is to diagnose pancreatic cancer at an earlier stage, when there are more treatment options.

Dr. Anirban Maitra and Dr. Suresh Chari
Symptoms
June 29, 2021 • 6 Min

Will New-Onset Diabetes Provide a Way to Detect Pancreatic Cancer Earlier?

Dr. Anirban Maitra, Dr. Suresh Chari, and others are looking at the relationship between new-onset diabetes and pancreatic cancer.

glass test tubes in a cluster
Research
October 22, 2019 • 2 Min

Searching for Potential Pancreatic Cancer Blood Biomarkers

Researchers are using blood samples to follow people considered at risk for developing pancreatic cancer in a trial looking for early detection biomarkers.

diabetes testing
Symptoms
August 19, 2019 • 4 Min

The Relationship Between Diabetes and Pancreatic Cancer

Whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes you are at an increased risk for developing pancreatic cancer. Learn more about your risk by reading this story.

Dr. Suresh Chari
Symptoms
August 14, 2019 • 5 Min

The Diabetes and Pancreatic Cancer Connection

Professor Dr. Suresh Chari explains the link between newly on-set diabetes as an indication of pancreatic cancer. Read Dr. Chari’s findings to learn more.

Dr. Anna Bergamaschi
Research
February 23, 2023 • 6 Min

New Potential Early Detection Trial for Type 2 Diabetics

Dr. Anna Bergamaschi explains the new Avantect blood test for the early detection of pancreatic cancer in people with type 2 diabetes.

Dr Brian Wolpin
Symptoms
June 16, 2021 • 6 Min

New-Onset Diabetes Plus Unintentional Weight Loss Emerging as an Important Clue In Earlier Detection

Dr. Brian Wolpin outlines the connection between unintentional weight loss, new-onset diabetes, and pancreatic cancer.

Type 2 Diabetes as a Precursor to Pancreatic Cancer

Read stories from patients and doctors about what to look for if you have been recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and are over the age of 50.

Gastroenterologist Dr. Venkata Akshintala
Symptoms
September 20, 2021 • 4 Min

Precursors to Pancreatic Cancer: Are There Any Signs to Watch Out For?

Dr. Venkata Akshintala outlines some of the precursors to pancreatic cancer that people should look out for.

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor patient Randi C. Ervin
Survivor Stories
August 27, 2021 • 4 Min

A Life-Saving, Life-Changing Diagnosis

Randi C. Ervin’s primary care doctor suspected she had something more than prediabetes. Testing showed pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer.

pancreatic cancer survivor Sheila Sky Kasselman
Survivor Stories
May 30, 2017 • 3 Min

Pancreatic Cancer Leads to a New Direction

After Sheila Sky Kasselman recovered from pancreatic cancer treatment, she became a pancreatic cancer activist, determined to help find more treatments.

Longer-Term Type 2 Diabetes Increases Risk

People with type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than the average person. Read stories from patients who had diabetes for a number of years before they were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

pancreatic cancer patient Harvey Parker and his wife and daughters
Survivor Stories
April 24, 2020 • 5 Min

Genetic Testing Leads Me to a PARP Inhibitor Trial

Harvey Parker had genetic testing as part of his initial pancreatic cancer treatment. The BRCA2 mutation led him to a PARP inhibitor clinical trial.

long-term pancreatic cancer survivor Joel Evans and family
Survivor Stories
July 29, 2019 • 4 Min

Surviving Pancreatic Cancer and Embracing Life

Joel Evans’ endocrinologist was concerned so he sent him to get tested for pancreatic cancer. It was caught early enough for a Whipple procedure.

Pancreatic cancer patient Irwin Greenblatt and his wife Audrey
Survivor Stories
July 19, 2017 • 5 Min

Hope and a Chance to Fight

Irwin Greenblatt just wanted a chance, so after Whipple surgery he agreed to join a chemotherapy clinical trial. His wife Audrey tells their story.