This study aimed to evaluate the potential association of single nucleotide polymorphisms of the 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase gene (OGG1) with susceptibility to pancreatic cancer (PC). A total of 764 Chinese Han subjects were recruited in this study. The polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and DNA sequencing methods were used to detect the genotype of c.461G>A genetic variant of OGG1. The genotype and allele frequencies were statistically different in PC patients compared with cancer-free controls. The AA genotype was statistically associated with increased PC susceptibility compared to GG wild genotype (AA vs GG, OR=2.62, 95%CI=1.48-4.63, χ2=11.46, P=0.001). Allele A could contribute to the increased risk of PC (A vs G, OR=1.35, 95%CI=1.08-1.69, χ2=6.86, P=0.009). Our data indicated that the c.461G>A genetic variant of the OGG1 gene was associated with susceptibility to PC in a Chinese Han population.