Could childhood obesity lead to pancreatic cancer?

June 23, 2009 Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers and cases are on the rise. Researchers speculate the current rise in obesity may have something to do with the increase.

A new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association looks at patients between the ages of 14 and 39.

Overweight young adults were 67 percent more likely to be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer as they grew older. For those who were obese the risk was even greater. more than 250-percent.

The authors think excess weight may trigger changes in insulin and cause inflammation in the body, both of which may raise the odds of pancreatic cancer.