Pancreatic cancer is often difficult to detect in its earliest stages, which makes identifying high-risk individuals especially important. Risk factors may include chronic pancreatitis, smoking, diabetes, obesity, certain inherited syndromes, and a strong family history of pancreatic cancer.

While there is no standard screening program for the general population, select high-risk patients may benefit from specialized surveillance using advanced imaging and endoscopic ultrasound. Early evaluation of symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, jaundice, abdominal pain, or new-onset diabetes may also help identify disease sooner, when treatment options are more effective.