Is it Genetic????

Rankine2000 · New User Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Posts: 1

I have been further researching pancreatic cancer this week following the death of my Uncle, having been diagnosed only 2 weeks ago. The same happened to my dad 17 years ago. They were brothers and each had been treated by the doctors for different illnesses. My dad was being treated for a stomach ulcer and was questioned about his drinking habits; my Uncle was told to change his lifestyle (e.g Diet, drinking habits, exercise).

I only found out my Uncle was ill last Sunday, but to be told it is the same cancer and then for him to pass away under the exact same curcumstances as my dad only 17 years later is a total shocker. Not only am I annoyed that they failed to detect it, even though we had a family history with my dad, I am also concerned that it could be genetic. I realise it is the hardest form of cancer to detect and survival rates are low, however, I believe our local health authority to have been negligent in failing to detect the cancer earlier than 2 weeks before both my dad and uncle passed away.

I've seen all kinds of websites saying that there is a 10% chance that some pancreatic cancer can be due to a family trait that increases susceptibility to some cancers by 50%. There is no test to detect a faulty gene, however, research suggests that there may be a link between pancreatic cancer in younger sufferers who already carry the faulty gene for cystic fibrosis (1 in 21 of the general population are cyctic fibrosis carriers).

I'm looking for any insight/knowledge or general information about the cancer and in particular anty genetic links. As I said, my dad and his brother both died from pancreatic cancer and I am looking for any information possible. I am also considering making a formal complaint to our local health authority to prevent someone else suffering for so long without the hospital doctors processing the appropriate detection tests.

Any information you have or support would be a great help. Many thanks in advance. [size=12][/size][/b]

Wunderchu · Regular Joined: 21 Feb 2007 Posts: 29

this link may be slightly helpful: http://www.physiciansweekly.com/article.asp?issueid=432&articleid=4045

(I first found out about that link from here: http://www.topix.net/forum/health/pancreatic-cancer )

and here's another website where that gene is mentioned:
http://www.pcrf.org.uk/GeneIdentified.html

edit:

here is some more info.:

"The following are possible risk factors for pancreatic cancer:

* Smoking.
* Long-standing diabetes.
* Chronic pancreatitis.
* Certain hereditary conditions, such as hereditary pancreatitis, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 syndrome, hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC; Lynch syndrome), von Hippel-Lindau syndrome, ataxia-telangiectasia, and the familial atypical multiple mole melanoma syndrome (FAMMM)." [source: http://www.bchealthguide.org/kbase/nci/ncicdr0000062957.htm ]
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Wunderchu · Regular Joined: 21 Feb 2007 Posts: 29

here is another article and some websites which may be useful:

http://www.fhcrc.org/about/ne/news/2002/02/28/pancreatic.html

http://pathology2.jhu.edu/pancreas/hered.cfm (I first found out about this website from: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/pancreaticcancer.html )

http://bioinformatics.org/pcgdb

4VGA · Regular Joined: 31 Jul 2006 Posts: 13

[b]THERE IS A TEST TO CHECK FOR A GENE AND PANCREATIC CANCER
ALSO DID YOUR DAD OR UNCLE HAVE SKIN CANCER
LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED FOR INFO
RHOLLAND@PANCAN.ORG[/b]

Hmeyers · New User Joined: 07 Apr 2007 Posts: 2

Yes, there are on going studies about Pancreatic genetic. My husband has his father past away when he was 37 years. My husband, his sisters and nieces all genetic study. About the history of pancreat in families.

The only way that I know is to have a check up with the doctor on a regular basic.

Big Sister · Experienced user Joined: 02 Nov 2006 Posts: 68

For more shocking "coincidences," check out the former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his tragic family. Several members of that prestigious clan died of pancreatic cancer yet no one saw a link until later.

So the question is: What do we survivors do? Is it inevitable that we succumb to this horrid cancer without our knowledge? Is there some way to detect it sooner rather than later?

Following my brother's death in December, I made an appointment for a cat scan (CT Scan) of my full abdomen in order to head it off -- just in case Mr. C was lurking somewhere, grinning at another prospect, eager to claim another life.

It's the first time I can recall enjoying the judgment on myself to be "unremarkable." I will have a scan done every year if I can. Surely, if there is a small growth spotted it can be cut out before it wraps itself completely around a person's life.

My brother left two children, one male, one female. I will advise them to have a test when they are able as these things are costly and never permitted without reason. As for myself, I have three sons. Are they at risk, too?

Finally (and forgive me), we all will die of something, my friend. Perhaps in the years to come we will be better able to determine the when and the how more than just taking a serving of pot luck. Surely someone is working on a full body scan as preventive medicine rather than all of us just sitting around waiting for advice on drinking and life style.

Regards and good luck to you. Big Sister

jenjoey · New User Joined: 23 Apr 2007 Posts: 7 Location: Louisiana

My fiance's father passed away from PC......... when he was 12. My fiance was diagnosed with PC almost 2 years ago.

GCMom · New User Joined: 25 Aug 2008 Posts: 1

There is definitely a genetic link in some families. Two people in a family can get PC from environmental factors, like smoking, or just by chance. However, there are known genes that can cause PC. There is/are also 1 or more genes that have not yet been found that cause pancreatic cancer. There are studies looking for these genes, and families with 2 or more cases of PC, for which you may be ligible. You can search for "familial pancreatic cancer genetic study" or follow this link for more info:
http://www.karmanos.org/cancer.asp...
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The Pancreatic Genetic Study, http://www.karmanos.org/cancer.asp?id=927&cid=19

lerner01 · New User Joined: 30 Sep 2008 Posts: 2

It can be genetic. My father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer recently and I was told that for Eastern European Jews (I am from russia) there is definitely a link. The gene is called BRCA (pronounced "braka") and if that gene is defective, you are cancer prone. This is not just for PC, but also breast cancer and some others. The BRCA test is $400, not covered by insurance (at least in my case)

Good luck to you.

Alex

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