Introduction

Due to the late diagnosis and lack of standardized screening tests, pancreatic cancer is one of the world’s most lethal neoplasms. Over the last 30 years incidence and mortality has more than doubled globally and the overall pancreatic cancer burden is thought to increase along with the increase of average life expectancy.

Aim of the research: To analyze countrywide trends, age patterns and burden of premature mortality due to pancreatic cancer in 1996–2018.

Material and methods

All calculations are based on publicly available data. Age-standardized incidence and mortality rates were used to present incidence and mortality statistics comparable across time. Years of potential life lost (YPLL) were calculated by applying the up-to-date reference life tables.

Results

During the analyzed period the overall pancreatic cancer incidence and mortality increased by 18% and 45%, respectively. Both standardized incidence and mortality rates, however, decreased among men and remained relatively stable among women. The number of YPLL increased by 23%, with the highest values being observed in the 65–69 age group. Meanwhile, a decrease in the mean YPLL value has been observed.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that the mean age of death due to pancreatic cancer has increased. Evidence of the change in incidence and mortality related to population ageing might be used by policymakers to improve the healthcare system in addressing the increasing health needs of the elderly population as well as to enhance primary preventive methods in the younger age.