Doctor explains 'powerful steps' to prevent 'silent' cancer killing 10,200 a year

Doctor explains 'powerful steps' to prevent 'silent' cancer killing 10,200 a yearJust four out of every 100 people developing the cancer will live 10 years or more but there are things you can do to cut your riskCommentsNewsElaine Blackburne Network Content Editor14:34, 06 Apr 2026View ImageDr Asiya Maula(Image: The Health Suite)A doctor has shared the habits that raise the risk of a "silent" cancer that kills more than 95% of people who develop it within a decade. With many symptoms not showing until the disease is advanced it means it is often missed and had one of the lowest survival rates of any cancer in the UK.‌According to Cancer Research UK, its latest figures show there were 11,091 cases of pancreatic cancer a year diagnosed on average between 2017-2021, excluding 2020, the year of the pandemic. Between 2022 and 2024 there were an annual average 10,200 deaths as a result of the disease. But it says while 37% of these cases are preventable, for those who do get it the results can be devastating with just 4.3% surviving for 10 or more years.‌Now private GP Dr Asiya Maula, of The Health Suite has warned of some common lifestyle habits which increase the risk of developing the cancer. And she says it is essential that people understand these as cases of the cancer are predicted to rise in the coming years.‌She said: “Pancreatic cancer is often diagnosed at a late stage because symptoms can be vague or non-specific, which is why understanding the lifestyle factors linked to risk is so important. Small, consistent habits over time can have a significant impact.”Smoking and alcohol ‘major drivers’ of riskOne of the most well-established risk factors is smoking, which significantly increases the likelihood of developing pancreatic cancer. Dr Maula said: “Smoking is one of the strongest risk factors we see. It contributes to chronic inflammation and damage within the pancreas, and over time this can increase the risk of cancer developin...