The American Cancer Society estimates that 42,470 Americans (21,050 men and 21,420 women) will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer during 2009. Over the past 15 to 25 years, rates of cancer of pancreatic cancer have dropped slightly in men and women.

The lifetime risk of developing pancreatic cancer is about 1 in 76 (1.31%). This is about the same for both men and women. A person's risk may be altered by certain risk factors (listed in the next section).

An estimated 35,420 Americans (18,030 men and 17,210 women) will die of pancreatic cancer in 2008, making this type of cancer the fourth leading cause of cancer death overall.

Last Medical Review: 10/02/2008
Last Revised: 05/12/2009