January 30, 2026 — The pancreas, an often overlooked organ, is at the center of a growing health crisis in Australia. New research indicates a significant increase in pancreatic cancer cases among young Australians, with lifestyle factors playing a crucial role. This alarming trend highlights the need for heightened awareness and preventive measures.
Pancreatic cancer, which claimed the lives of notable figures such as US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, is projected to become Australia’s second most lethal cancer by 2030. A study from Flinders University reveals a staggering 200 percent rise in pancreatic cancer cases among Australians aged 15 to 49 over the past 24 years, mirroring a global increase in affluent countries.
Lifestyle Factors and Rising Risks
According to Professor Savio (George) Barreto from Flinders University’s College of Medicine and Public Health, lifestyle choices are significantly contributing to this trend. “Although smoking was a major risk factor globally, we found that raised blood glucose and obesity are major risk factors for early-onset pancreatic cancer in Australia and Oceania,” Barreto explains. He emphasizes that smoking, alcohol, and obesity are key contributors, and adopting a healthy lifestyle could substantially reduce the risk.
The connection between lifestyle and pancreatic health extends beyond cancer. Type 2 diabetes, another condition affecting the pancreas, is the fastest-growing chronic disease in Australia. Alarmingly, there has been a 44 percent increase in diabetes diagnoses among 21 to 39-year-olds over the past decade, with a 17 percent rise in cases before age 20.
The Diabetes-Pancreatic Cancer Connection
Professor Barreto notes a troubling shift: “It used to be that type 2 diabetes occurred in people over 40, but now we see adolescents with the disease.” While elevated blood sugar alone does not increase pancreatic cancer risk, factors associated with long-standing diabetes, such as insulin resistance and pancreatic inflammation, are linked to higher cancer risk.
Research from the UK last year found that diabetes can almost double the risk of pancreatic cancer.
However, lifestyle factors are not the sole contributors. Genetic predispositions, such as inheriting BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, age, and exposure to certain workplace chemicals also play a role, according to Pankind, an organization dedicated to improving survival rates for pancreatic cancer.
Challenges in Diagnosis and Awareness
Despite the relatively low number of pancreatic cancer cases in Australia—just under 5,000 last year—the disease is particularly deadly due to its often subtle symptoms. With a survival rate of only about 13 percent over five years, early detection is critical but challenging.
Mona Thind, a 55-year-old director of strategy with NSW Health, experienced this firsthand. Initially dismissed as constipation, her mild discomfort under the ribs was later diagnosed as pancreatic cancer, thanks to her father’s insistence on further testing. Thind’s case was caught early enough for successful surgical intervention.
Thind has since become an advocate for awareness, giving talks, distributing information cards, and creating a support network for those affected by the disease. “I’ve made a conscious decision to raise as much awareness of this disease as I can,” she says.
Improving Detection and Future Steps
New guidelines set to be promoted to general practitioners may aid in early detection. Developed by Australian researchers, these recommendations help identify patients who may require further testing based on symptom combinations and risk factors.
Professor Rachel Neale from the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute highlights the importance of these guidelines: “The symptoms of pancreatic cancer can be very non-specific. Someone with abdominal pain is much more likely to have a less serious condition, but if combined with other risk factors, it may warrant investigation of the pancreas.”
As the medical community works towards better diagnostic tools and public awareness, individuals are encouraged to adopt healthier lifestyles to mitigate risks associated with pancreatic cancer and diabetes. The ongoing research and advocacy efforts aim to change the trajectory of these diseases, offering hope for improved outcomes in the future.