3. Chronic pancreatitisIt is estimated that one per cent of pancreatic cancer cases are linked to chronic pancreatitis.4 There is an association with heavy alcohol consumption and pancreatitis so advising on lower consumption would be useful; however, there is no confirmed link between alcohol consumption and increased risk of pancreatic cancer.
A study showed that individuals in whom type II diabetes had recently been diagnosed (less than four years) had a 50 per cent greater risk of pancreatic cancer compared to individuals who had diabetes for five years or longer.5
Always keep this in mind when conducting MURs with customers who are already suffering from diabetes and when dispensing prescriptions for those who have been newly diagnosed.