While cases of pancreatic cancer explode in France, a nutritionist sounds the alarm: an ubiquitous metal in our diet could be one of the main managers.
Rare, discreet, but formidable. THE pancreatic cancer gaining ground at a worrying speed, especially in France. In 2023, Public Health France identified 16,000 new cases, an increase of 3 % per year. This pace is twice as fast as elsewhere in Europe.
Admittedly, classic factors such as tobacco or obesity are involved. But a much less visible enemy draws the attention of experts. The doctor Arnaud Cocaulnutritionist, denounces the role of cadmiuma heavy metal present in our diet. According to him, “He is responsible for the explosion of part of the pancreas cancers”.
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Woman suffering from abdominal pain during a consultation with a gastroenterologist
The cadmiuma carcinogen in almost all our cupboards
The cadmiumclassified as a certain carcinogenic for humans, is used in phosphate fertilizer agricultural. Once widespread, these products contaminate the crops that we consume daily. Thus, Dr Cocaul specifies in Yahoo that the cadmium is found “More specifically in pasta, in potatoes, cookies, whether salty or sweet, chocolates”.
But that’s not all. This toxic metal is also present in vegetables, crustaceans, molluscs, cereals, offal and cereal bars. It accumulates slowly in our body, affecting the kidneys, bones and respiratory tract.
According to a study published in the European Journal of Epidemiologythe cases of pancreatic cancer Increase in areas where farmers are massively using pesticides. This study, based on more than 130,000 cases between 2011 and 2021, reveals that 99 % of French people are exposed to these substances. Among the youngest, the observation is just as worrying: “36 % of French children under the age of three exceed the admissible daily doses of cadmium”says Dr Cocaul.
Lobbies denounced by a doctor
In large part, this situation is explained by the origin of the fertilizers used in France. The country imports phosphate rocks very rich in cadmiummainly Morocco. Despite the recommendations of theIs considered and European Commission to limit the content to 20 mg/kg, France still authorizes up to 60 mg/kg.
In June 2025, several liberal doctors alerted the authorities. However, Dr Cocaul denounces a persistent political blockage: “As always in France, we are always with lobbies that are behind and make it brake on any evolution, any constraint on industrialists”.
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EGD technology for cancer screening
Prevent it pancreatic cancer thanks to food and genetics
To limit exposure to cadmiumDr Cocaul recommends a diet bio and traceable. He advises to avoid processed products from conventional agriculture. He adds that Italian pasta is to be favored because manufacturers use fertilizer less loaded in cadmium that those imported from Morocco.
In parallel, American researchers explore another promising track. A study by the University of San Diego highlighted a genetic signature called STRESS. This imprint would identify the patients most sensitive to pancreatic cancer. David Cheresh, co-author of the study, explains: “A large number of patients are what we call ‘inductible’ for these stress genes”.
Ultimately, this discovery could upset the way of treating this disease. Chereh specifies that the objective is to “Predict the future behavior of the tumor and to develop more effective treatment strategies”.
France, the leading user of pesticides in Europe, faces a real sanitary alert. The link between food, environment and pancreatic cancer can no longer be ignored. Awareness is now urgent, to protect the health of citizens like that of farmers.
