About Am I at Higher Risk? Prevention & Testing Services Screening Specialists Clinic Location

Pancreatic Cancer Prevention

As part of our comprehensive cancer care, UC San Diego Health's Pancreatic Cancer Prevention Clinic offers prevention and screening services for people who may be at increased risk for pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer screening is relatively new, but it holds great promise in saving lives that might otherwise be lost to cancer. If you're interested in our screening services, ask your physician or genetic counselor for a referral.

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 mutation that increases pancreatic cancer risk

Video: What Is the Pancreatic Cancer Prevention Clinic?

Prevention & Screening Services

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

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 or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Surveillance or surgical treatment of pancreatic cysts associated with a high risk of cancer development
Nutrition and lifestyle changes, including dietary changes (such as increasing vitamin D intake if you are deficient) or smoking cessation
Genetic testing to determine whether you have a genetic mutation associated with pancreatic cancer

Testing for Hereditary Pancreatic Cancer

Up to 10 % of pancreatic cancers are believed to be caused by genetic mutations 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 find inherited syndromes that can increase your risk of pancreatic cancer, including:

Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2 gene mutations)
Familial atypical multiple mole melanoma (FAMMM) syndrome
Hereditary (familial) pancreatitis
Lynch syndrome (hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer or HNPCC syndrome)
Ataxia telangiectasia (ATM gene mutations)

Genetic testing is done with a simple blood or oral swab test.

Benefits of Genetic Testing

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

Develop a personalized screening and prevention plan specific to the genetic mutation 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