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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – While relatively rare, pancreatic cancer is the 3rd most common cause of cancer deaths. By the time symptoms appear, the disease is usually too advanced to treat effectively.
The good news is that most people only have about a 1% chance of having pancreatic cancer. But that risk increases if close relatives have been diagnosed. For people who have 3 or more family members with the disease, risk climbs to 40%.
The earlier pancreatic cancer is caught, the better chance there is of removing it with surgery, the only cure. So experts are working toward earlier diagnoses. Here’s what you need to know.
Who can receive regular screenings for pancreatic cancer?
People who are at high risk for pancreatic cancer may be considered for screenings. Those at high risk meet one of the following criteria:
- Have at least 2 relatives with pancreatic cancer, one of whom is a parent, sibling or child
- Have Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, hereditary pancreatitis or CDKN2A gene mutation
- Have Lynch syndrome or mutations in BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2 and ATM genes, as well as a parent, sibling or child with pancreatic cancer
People with a family history of pancreatic cancer may be able to get genetic testing to better understand their risk.
What happens in a screening?
Most doctors will do an MRI and an endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). During EUS your doctor takes pictures of your pancreas by passing a thin, flexible tube through your mouth and into your digestive tract.
When do screenings begin?
Most people who are considered high risk can begin screenings at 50, or 10 years younger than their youngest relative with pancreatic cancer. People with specific genetic syndromes may start earlier. For example, experts recommend that people with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome start at 35.
How often do screenings happen?
In general, screenings happen once a year. Your doctor may do them more frequently if lesions are found or if you develop diabetes.
Screenings will stop if:
- You are not physically able to have surgery
- Your life expectancy isn’t affected by a pancreatic cancer diagnosis
- You want to stop screening
What happens if a doctor finds abnormal results in a screening?
Your doctor will talk to you about your options. Although many people learn they have lesions on their pancreas during screenings, fewer than 1% of those will be considered high risk.
In some cases, surgery may be recommended. In other cases, you may be monitored more often.
What are the risks of screening?
The risks are minimal. They include:
- Low chance of injury from needles, biopsy or anesthesia
- Having unnecessary surgery from unclear or false-positive screening results
- Anxiety about regular screenings
If you are at high risk of pancreatic cancer, talk to your doctor about the benefits of ongoing surveillance. Choosing to be screened and making decisions about test results are personal choices that most people make with their family and medical team.