# Lifestyle‐Related Risk Factors for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: A Longitudinal Analysis of 1,120,377 Individuals From the NHISS Cohort

## TL;DR

This study identifies lifestyle and health factors linked to increased or decreased risk of pancreatic cancer in over a million South Koreans over 10 years.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific modifiable risk factors and optimal thresholds for early intervention in pancreatic cancer.

## Key findings

- Current smoking, alcohol consumption, and high FBS and liver enzyme levels increase pancreatic cancer risk.
- High-intensity exercise reduces pancreatic cancer risk by 20%.
- Optimal thresholds for cholesterol, GGT, LDL, and CCI were identified for early diagnosis.

## Abstract

Utilizing data from the National Health Insurance Sharing Service database, this study explored significant risk factors for pancreatic cancer in a cohort of 1,120,377 South Korean individuals over a 10‐year period (2009–2019).

Propensity score matching was employed to ensure comparability between 3535 pancreatic cancer patients and a control group with a common cold diagnosis. The study analyzed various lifestyle factors and biochemical markers, including smoking status, alcohol consumption, fasting blood glucose (FBS) levels, liver enzyme levels, and Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) scores.

The findings revealed that current smoking, frequent alcohol consumption, and elevated levels of FBS and liver enzymes were associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer. Conversely, engaging in high‐intensity exercise (≥ 20 min, twice weekly) was correlated with a 20% reduction in pancreatic cancer risk (p < 0.05). Additionally, optimal thresholds for total cholesterol (179.50 mg/dL), GGT (29.50 U/L), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (104.50 mg/dL), and CCI score (2.50) were identified, which may facilitate early diagnosis and intervention.

These findings underscore the importance of modifiable lifestyle factors in managing pancreatic cancer risk and highlight the potential of personalized, evidence‐based interventions—such as high‐intensity exercise programs—in improving prevention and treatment outcomes.