Causes and prevention of bile duct cancer

It is not known why some people develop cancer of the bile duct. There are some risk factors that can increase your chance of developing the disease. These include:

• Abnormal bile ducts: If you are born with abnormal bile ducts, you might be at risk of developing cancer of the bile duct.
• Inflammatory bowel disease: You might have an increased risk if you have ulcerative colitis. This is a type of inflammatory bowel disease.
• Infection: In Africa and Asia, an infection caused by parasites is believed to cause bile duct cancer.
• If you feel you might be at risk, talk to your family doctor (GP) about your concerns. He or she might refer you to a specialist.

Call our National Cancer Helpline

Freephone 1800 200 700 to talk to a specialist cancer nurse
It's open Monday-Thursday from 9am to 7pm and Friday from 9am to 5pm