Pancreatic cancer: Know your family, know your risk

(BPT) – Pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly cancers, with a mere 29 percent one-year survival rate. In 2016, pancreatic cancer became the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States, surpassing breast cancer.

The time frame between diagnosis and death is often short. Only 7 percent of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer survive five years. This is incredibly small compared to prostate cancer or breast cancer, where more than 90 percent of patients survive for five years after diagnosis.

“Most people are unaware of how deadly pancreatic cancer is,” says Jim Rolfe, president of Rolfe Pancreatic Cancer Foundation. “These chilling statistics can serve as an eye-opener that motivates people to learn more about their risks and contact their health care professional.”

Early detection is important

Although pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly cancers, early detection can significantly impact survival rates. The five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer approaches 25 percent if cancers are surgically removed while they are still small and have not spread to the lymph nodes.

Know your family, know your risk

Family history is a risk factor for pancreatic cancer. When you know more about your genetics and which members of your family have been affected by pancreatic cancer, you can better manage your own health.

To make the process easier, the Rolfe Pancreatic Cancer Foundation has introduced a new series of online tools. Visit www.KnowMyRisk.org to download a worksheet and access other helpful tools that let you explore your family history and become your own health advocate.

Print out the worksheet and call or visit your grandparents, parents and other extended family members. You may not be aware that someone a few generations removed from you was affected by cancer. Having this conversation can be empowering, because once you know your risks you can take charge of your future.

Consider genetic counseling

When considering how personal a cancer or disease diagnosis can be, it is no surprise that medicine is looking at our DNA to uncover information. This makes genetic counselors an important part of the health care team, helping you ask the right questions and uncover familial genetic risk factors.

If you learn you have a history of pancreatic cancer in multiple family members, you should consider meeting with a genetic counselor to assess your level of risk. From there, the counselor and your doctor can decide on a course of action.

To learn more about genetic counseling and find a local certified genetic counselor at the National Society of Genetic Counselors’ database, visit www.KnowMyRisk.org.

Take charge and be empowered

“Don’t take a backseat when it comes to your health,” says Rolfe. “The first step toward early detection of pancreatic cancer is understanding your family history. From there, you can make informed decisions that help you live a full, healthy life.”

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* Pancreatic Cancer patient Nancy Amato discusses her treatment at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center — and then runs a 5K race with her family and friends. Learn more about our innovative treatments at: http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/patient_care/travel-for-care/innovation.html

Patient Perspectives | Nancy Amato – Pancreatic Cancer