It may be hard to accept, but chance may play a big role in the development of pancreas cancer. In order to understand how this is possible, it is helpful to review the basics of genetics.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) carries all of the genetic information. DNA is a linear string (polymer) of four different units or base pairs labelled A, C, G and T. These can be thought of as the letters of the genetic code. These base pairs in turn spell the words (called the genes) of the genetic code.

A gene is the hereditary determinant of a characteristic (like eye color). The human genome (all of the information in a single human cell) is estimated to contain between 50,000 and 100,000 genes. Cells are normally dividing to copy themselves and replenish cells which have died. Each cell contains 3 billion base pairs (A, C, G and T).

So, every time a cell divides it must copy all 3 billion base pairs. Unfortunately, cells can make mistakes when copying this DNA. If one of these mistakes is made in a gene that prevents pancreas cancer, then that person will be at increased risk for developing pancreas cancer.