Is Pancreatic Cancer Hereditary?
Are you wondering whether your family has a history of pancreatic cancer? Read on to learn about treatments and possibly genetic testing. This article will also learn about lifestyle factors that increase your risk. Avoiding tobacco use and being safe from obesity can lower your risk. Your doctor can perform tests to detect lesions early on. Early detection is crucial because it allows doctors to intercept the lesions before they progress to cancer. You can also avoid pancreatic cancer by maintaining a healthy weight.
Family history of pancreatic cancer
A family history of pancreatic cancer has been consistently associated with an increased risk of developing the disease. Some cancers, such as prostate and breast, may also increase the risk but not as strongly as pancreatic cancer. The Pancreatic Cancer Cohort Consortium examined the associations between pancreatic cancer and five types of cancer in the US, European, and Mayo Clinic case-control studies. This study provides new information on the relationship between family history and pancreatic cancer.
Although the overall prevalence of a family history of pancreatic cancer is only 3.6%, the risk associated with having two affected relatives is higher. Although this increase in risk cannot be determined with precision, it is still important to monitor family members for signs and symptoms of the disease. For example, if two family members have the disease, your risk increases by 50%. However, this increase in risk does not mean you will develop the disease if you have a family history of pancreatic cancer.
Treatment options for pancreatic cancer
A genetic test can identify a person's risk of developing pancreatic cancer and help them determine treatment options. Using a gene panel such as the Myriad myRisk(r) test, physicians can identify the family's cancer history, which can help them decide the best treatment options for them. People who have a family history of pancreatic cancer may be at an increased risk for developing other cancers.
Current treatments for pancreatic cancer are not very effective. The current standard of care for metastatic pancreatic cancer is chemotherapy. The median overall survival after surgery with the standard of care is less than 12 months. The current standard of care treatment does not include predictive biomarkers. The ability to detect a patient's genetic makeup can make treatment more targeted and maximize the chance of a cure.
Genetic testing for familial atypical multiple mole melanoma syndromes (FAMMM)
There is a high rate of PDAC, the second most common cancer in FAMMM syndrome, and genetic testing of the CDKN2A gene is sometimes indicated. The British Columbia criteria for CDKN2A testing require at least three close family members to be diagnosed with PDAC or melanoma. Massively parallel and next-generation sequencing has improved genetic testing methods and reduced costs.
FAMMM is an inherited disorder characterized by multiple atypical moles, or dysplastic nevi, on the skin. It is associated with an increased risk of melanoma and is inherited from both parents. The condition can occur sporadically or in a family of affected individuals. In addition to melanoma, people with the syndrome are at an increased risk of pancreatic cancer.
