According to a Swedish research, People who drink large quantities of fizzy drinks or add sugar to coffee or tea run a higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is a very serious form of cancer that is possibly caused when the pancreas produces heightened levels of insulin as a consequence of upset glucose metabolism. A well-known way of increasing insulin production is to eat a lot of sugar. Scientists have now, for the first time, shown that the consumption of sweetened food and drink affects a person’s chances of developing pancreatic cancer.

Researchers at the Karolinska Institute studied the diets of almost 80,000 men and women between 1997 and 2005. A total of 131 developed pancreatic cancer, a deadly form of the disease that is difficult to treat.

The research team came to the conclusion that people who consume fizzy drinks twice a day or more almost double the risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Taking sugar in your coffee five times a day increases the risk by 70 per cent.

Scientists believe the risk of developing pancreatic cancer rises when the pancreas produces higher levels of insulin. Eating a lot of sugar is a well-known way of increasing insulin production.

“Insulin in itself affects cells in the pancreas, and we believe that this is a risk factor for cancer growth,” said Susanna Larsson, one of the researchers behind the study.

About 216,000 new cases of pancreatic cancer, mostly in developed countries, are diagnosed each year. The illness is most common in people aged over 60. It is difficult to treat because it is often not diagnosed until it has spread beyond the pancreas.

“It is perhaps the most serious form of cancer, with very poor prognoses for its victims. Since it’s difficult to treat and is often discovered too late, it’s particularly important that we learn to prevent it,” Larsson said.

Authorities in the UK have hinted they may target sugar reductions in products in the same way they have pressured firms to cut salt content.