Published: Tuesday October 2, 2012 MYT 9:44:00 AM
Updated: Tuesday October 2, 2012 MYT 9:45:16 AM
Study: Smoking, heavy drinking linked to earlier onset of pancreatic cancer
WASHINGTON: Those who smoke and drink heavily may develop pancreatic cancer at an earlier age than those who don't, according to a study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology.
The study involved 811 pancreatic cancer patients from the international database Pancreatic Cancer Collaborative Registry, which gathers information on patients with pancreatic cancer and at high-risk for developing pancreatic cancer.
Citing the study, China's Xinhua news agency said Tuesday that heavy smokers were defined as those who smoked more than a pack per day, and heavy drinking was measured at about three average drinks per day.
The researchers from University of Michigan Health System found the heavy smokers with pancreatic cancer were diagnosed around age 62 and heavy drinkers at age 61 almost a decade earlier than the average age of 72.
However, the harmful effects of heavy drinking and smoking could be reversed after 10 years, former smokers and drinkers who quit their habits faced no extra risk of earlier diagnosis, the study said.
The researchers cautioned that the study only indicates these habits can lead to developing pancreatic cancer earlier in life, instead of proving the habits caused cancer. - Bernama
- Ahmad Zahid: Government will take action on foreigners who abuse student visas
- Adam Adli claims trial to sedition charge
- Tian Chua, Haris Ibrahim detained
- Tabung Haji top-level official denies khalwat
- Justice Akhtar: Intention to finish off Sosilawati, others at wrong place wrong time
- Verdict ends three years of restlessness for family, says Sosilawati's daughter
- Adam Adli charged with uttering seditious words (Update)
- All four accused guilty in murder of Sosilawati Lawiya and three others (Update)
- New crime prevention department to be set up

- Syariah Court can annul child’s marriage, says SIS
- A-G: Prosecution to proceed with statutory rape charges against Riduan
- Women’s groups laud A-G’s promise to press statutory rape charges against Riduan
- Probe into why teen withdrew rape report
- What comes after WYY?
- Prime Minister to address global women conference
- MISC posts RM300m net profit in Q1, sees challenging year ahead
- KL Kepong slips to low of RM21.36 as quarterly profit drops
- Maybank's Q1 earnings up 11.8% to RM1.506b
- Lafarge Cement positive on markets, mulls expanding capacity
- Dayang Enterprise awards RM705m contract to Perdana Petroleum
- KLCI pauses, Japan, Hong Kong key indices slide (Update)
- ECM Libra plans to exit PN17 by year-end
- China HSBC flash PMI hits 7-mth low, fans growth fears
- RHB Research maintains Buy on KPJ Healthcare, FV RM7.30
- Alliance Neutral on Axiata, ups target price to RM7
- Deleum top loser, down 11.3% after disappointing results
- Maybank KE Research maintains Hold on AirAsia
- Public Invest Research ups Uzma target price to RM2.86
- Malaysia's blue chips fall more than 6pts in early trade
- Profit taking may weigh on Malaysian equities
- Ice queen Nicol into British Open quarters
- Australia to consider following ban on anchor putters
- Intxausti wins 16th stage, Nibali still keeps pink jersey
- Indonesia drawn to meet China again – in knockout stage
- Results worldwide
- Malacca sprinter Mohd Azam Masri out to create history by winning five events in MSSM meet
- Athletics runs in the veins of Vallabouy family
- Chinese long jumper Jinzhe claims another Olympic scalp
- Dane Jorgensen’s wish is to avoid Chinese ace Lin Dan in World Championships
- National badminton team’s lack of depth a glaring factor in home tourney
- Khim Wah-V Shem perform above expectations in Sudirman Cup debut
- Jindapon aims to qualify for 2016 Olympics
- Kenichi’s goal is to take Japan into Sudirman Cup semi-finals
- Dong-keun shows he’s a capable replacement
- Harrison makes swift U-turn
- Actress’ barking pet saves her from attacker in late night incident
- What comes after WYY?
- All four accused guilty in murder of Sosilawati Lawiya and three others (Update)
- Probe into why teen withdrew rape report
- A-G: Prosecution to proceed with statutory rape charges against Riduan
- Family demands full inquiry into death of shooting suspect under remand
- Syariah Court can annul child’s marriage, says SIS
- Astro and Maxis to deliver new-age TV service in Klang Valley
- 'British solider' butchered in suspected Islamist attack (Updated)
- Adam Adli charged with uttering seditious words (Update)
- Actress’ barking pet saves her from attacker in late night incident
- In China, food scares put Mao's self-sufficiency goal at risk
- What comes after WYY?
- All four accused guilty in murder of Sosilawati Lawiya and three others (Update)
- Verdict ends three years of restlessness for family, says Sosilawati's daughter
- Astro and Maxis to deliver new-age TV service in Klang Valley
- Colleges challenge new conditions set by registrar
- Chromebook to help rural pupils leapfrog into parity with urban peers
- Free entry to MATTA Fair in Penang
- Ahmad Zahid: Government will take action on foreigners who abuse student visas

