We report the findings of a case-control study of cancer of the pancreas, which was conducted in Hokkaido Prefecture. Seventy-one patients with pancreatic cancer were matched on sex and age (+/- 3 years) to 142 community-based controls. The latter had telephone interviews. We questioned all subjects about demographic factors, diet, beverage consumption, and medical and surgical history. Significantly decreased risks were associated with consumption of raw vegetables and green tea. The risk increased significantly with consumption of the fat of meat, boiled fish, coffee, black tea and alcoholic beverages.