Obesity and high stress levels may increase the risk of aggressive pancreatic cancer, according to a study from the University of California Los Angeles. The study found that stress-related neurotransmitters and obesity-related hormones activated a protein that promotes the growth of cancer cells in the pancreas. Mice that ate a high-fat diet and experienced social isolation had a higher risk of developing precancerous lesions. The researchers suggested repurposing beta-blockers to mitigate the effects of stress-related cancer growth. Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest types in the US, with a low survival rate.