ObjectiveThis review aimed to summarize the current epidemiological status and risk factors of pancreatic cancer at home and abroad.MethodThe literatures on epidemiology and risk factors of pancreatic cancer in recent years were collected and summarized.ResultsCurrently the overall incidence of pancreatic cancer was lower in all malignant tumors, but the mortality rate was the opposite. Incidence varies from region to region, the incidence rate in economically developed areas was higher than that of underdeveloped areas. Although the disease had made some progress in the fields of surgery, chemotherapy, an so on, the long-term survival of patients with pancreatic cancer was still not ideal. The onset of pancreatic cancer was associated with smoking, alcohol, obesity, dietary imbalance, age, gender, blood type, ethnicity, family history and genetic history, chronic pancreatitis, infection, and intestinal flora imbalance.ConclusionsPancreatic cancer is a high malignancy with a poor prognosis. It is influenced by a variety of risk factors. Therefore, it is especially necessary to pay attention to the primary prevention of pancreatic cancer and screen high-risk individuals regularly, to diagnose pancreatic cancer at an early stage.