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Patrick Swayze's Death Shows How Tough Pancreatic Cancer Is  

But Swayze also smoked, and continued to smoke after his diagnosis. Smoking is just one factor that may have led to the cancer.

"Smoking is definitely a risk factor for pancreatic cancer," said Chari, noting that, by some estimates, up to a quarter of the 37,000 annual pancreatic cancer cases may be due to smoking.

Could he have fought the disease longer by quitting cigarettes? Not likely, say doctors.

"Once the cancer has spread and all this happened ... continuing smoking, I don't think, mattered at that point," said Chari.

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