The researchers studied the diets of nearly 80,000 men and women between 1997 and 2005. Of those, 131 developed cancer of the pancreas. The group of people who reported drinking sodas or syrup-based drinks twice a day or more were 90 percent more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than those who did not consume such beverages; people who added sugar to their drinks about five times a day were 70 percent more likely to contract the disease; and those who consumed the popular Swedish sugary dessert known as creamed fruit were at a 50 percent increased risk for the cancer, according to the results published in the American Jounral of Clinical Nutrition.
"The researchers have now been able to show that the risk of developing pancreatic cancer is related to the amount of sugar in the diet," said a statement released by the institute.
"Despite the fact that the chances of developing pancreatic cancer are relatively small, it's important to learn more about the risk factors behind the disease," said researcher Susanna Larsson.
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly forms of the disease, and is notoriously difficult to treat because it usually does not get diagnosed until it has spread beyond the pancreas. About 216,000 new cases of the cancer are diagnosed each year, mostly in developed countries and mostly in people older than 60.
"It is perhaps the most serious form of cancer, with very poor prognoses for its victims," Larsson said. "Since it's difficult to treat and is often discovered too late, it's particularly important that we learn to prevent it."
"Pancreatic cancer is just one more serious health danger that comes from drinking soft drinks and sugar-laden beverages," said Mike Adams, a health advocate and author of "The Five Soft Drink Monsters." "In both Europe and the United States, these drinks are contributing, not only to cancer, but also to the spreading obesity epidemic and the subsequent increase in type 2 diabetes cases.
"The path to true health does not include any refined sugars whatsoever, least of all from 'sugar water' or sweetened juice drinks," he said.
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