Pancreatic Cancer Early Detection and Prevention

Am I at Higher Risk of Pancreatic Cancer?

You may have a higher chance of developing pancreatic cancer if you have:

• A pancreatic cyst
• Family history of pancreatic cancer  
• History of pancreatitis
• A genetic risk factor that increases pancreatic cancer risk

People who smoke, are obese or have diabetes also have higher risk of pancreatic cancer.

Early Detection and Screening Services

After thoroughly reviewing your medical records, you will be evaluated by a team of specialists, including a surgeon and/or gastroenterologist.

Your provider then recommends the next steps to prevent and detect disease. This can include:

• Ongoing surveillance (every 6–12 months) for those with a family history or a genetic syndrome associated with pancreatic cancer 
• Evaluation and diagnosis of pancreatic cysts using technologies such as endoscopic ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or analysis of fluid from the cyst 
• Surveillance or surgical treatment of pancreatic cysts associated with a high risk of cancer development
• Nutrition and lifestyle changes, including dietary changes or quitting smoking
• Genetic testing to determine whether you have inherited risk for pancreatic cancer

Benefits of Screening

When pancreatic cancer is found at its smallest, earliest stage and removed with surgery, outcomes improve dramatically. Research shows that patients with small, early-stage tumors have an 83 percent chance of surviving five years.

The problem is that only 15–20 percent of patients are diagnosed early enough for surgery to be an option. That's why early detection is so critical — and why it matters most for people who face higher risk, such as those with a strong family history of pancreatic cancer, certain inherited genetic mutations, a personal history of chronic pancreatitis, or new-onset diabetes later in life.

Regular monitoring gives high-risk individuals a chance to catch pancreatic cancer before it advances — while surgery is still an option and survival odds are far better.

Genetic Testing for Pancreatic Cancer Risk

If you have a first-degree relative (parent or sibling) who has had pancreatic cancer, national guidelines recommend genetic testing.

About 15% of pancreatic cancers are believed to be caused by inherited risk factors that can be passed from parent to child. Having a parent or sibling with pancreatic cancer can increase the risk to 4%. When two or more close relatives have pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common form of pancreatic cancer, the risk increases to as much as 40%. This is often referred to as familial pancreatic cancer.

We offer genetic testing to rule out inherited factors that can increase your risk of pancreatic cancer, including:

• BRCA1 and BRCA2 (hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome mutations)
• CDKN2A (melanoma and pancreatic cancer risk)
• Lynch syndrome (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2 genes) 
• ATM and PALB2 (breast cancer risk genes) 
• Hereditary (familial) pancreatitis

Genetic testing is done with a simple blood test.

Benefits of Genetic Testing

Knowing that you have a genetic variant associated with pancreatic cancer, you and your doctor can:

• Develop a personalized screening and prevention plan specific to the genetic variant and your risk factors based on National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCNN) guidelines
• Use lifestyle changes — such as exercise, nutrition and smoking cessation — to reduce your risk
• Inform your first-degree family members to get tested