Pancreatic Cancer in Relation to Food Expenditure: Difference Between Northern and Southern Italian Regions

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is among the deadliest cancers worldwide, with rising incidence and mortality. In Italy, marked regional differences in PC mortality suggest that diet may play a significant role. Data from 56 food categories across 20 regions were analyzed for PC standardized mortality ratios (PC-SMRs) from 2003 to 2022. The results showed significantly higher PC mortality in northern Italy compared to the South. Spearman correlations identified specific dietary drivers: “positively correlated” foods more prevalent in the North, such as beef, processed meat, yogurt, and non-alcoholic beverages, were associated with higher PC-SMRs; conversely, “negatively correlated” foods, including veal, lamb, flour, legumes, tomatoes, were consumed more in southern regions with lower mortality. Regional disparities in antioxidant micronutrients like selenium and carcinogenic factors like alcohol also aligned with mortality gradients. In conclusion, regional food consumption patterns significantly correlate with PC mortality in Italy. The higher adherence to Mediterranean-style dietary components in the South appears to provide a protective effect, whereas Westernized patterns in the North are associated with increased risk. This study aimed to investigate the association between regional food consumption patterns and PC mortality across Italy, using PC-SMR and household food expenditure data.