Pancreatic cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the pancreas grow in an uncontrolled way.
The pancreas is a gland located behind the stomach. It helps digest food and control blood sugar levels. Most cells in the pancreas are exocrine cells, which produce enzymes to help digest food. The other cells are endocrine cells, which produce hormones such as insulin to help control blood sugar levels.
Pancreatic cancer is among the 10 most common cancers in both men and women in Australia.