Abstract: In recent years, the incidence of pancreatic cancer has been increasing. With a high invasive ability and low rate of surgical resection, pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis. Its symptoms are insidious and early identification is difficult. At present, effective methods to diagnose pancreatic cancer early are unavailable. Risk factors such as smoking, chronic pancreatitis, obesity, diabetes and lack of exercise can promote pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer. Some dietary factors are also related to pancreatic cancer. In addition, research has found that genetic predisposition is an independent riskfactor. Therefore, smoking cessation, balanced dietary nutrition, maintaining a healthy body weight, and prevention of diabetes and chronic pancreatitis can decrease the risk of developing pancreatic cancer.This article describes the present incidence and trend of pancreatic cancer and reviews the recent advances in the research on risk factors for pancreatic cancer.