The Karmanos Cancer Institute and Wayne State University are looking for volunteers for a genetic study of pancreatic cancer. If two or more people in your family have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, you may be able to help.
We are studying pancreatic cancer to better understand why people develop this disease. In particular, we want to learn about the familial risk of pancreatic cancer and how this risk is related to shared genes and common environmental exposures, such as smoking.
We are one of seven institutions working to find ways to reduce the risk for pancreatic cancer. These institutions make up the Genetic Epidemiology of Pancreatic Cancer (PACGENE) Consortium and, in addition to Karmanos Cancer Institute and Wayne State University, include the Mayo Clinic, University of Texas/M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Creighton University, University of Toronto/Mount Sinai Hospital and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Funding for the PACGENE Consortium has been received through a grant from the National Cancer Institute.
What is Our Goal?
Research has shown that family history can play a role in the development of some cancers. We are collecting family history and lifestyle information, and blood, mouthwash, or previous surgical samples, from members of families where two or more blood relatives have had pancreatic cancer. This will allow us to compare the genes and lifestyles of family members with cancer to those of their cancer-free relatives.
Identifying genes that may be related to the development of pancreatic cancer will help us to identify people who may benefit from better pancreatic cancer prevention, screening, and treatment.
Who is Eligible to Join this Study?
- Individuals with or without cancer from families where two or more blood relatives have had pancreatic cancer
- There may be other types of cancer in the family, in addition to pancreatic cancer
- Relatives diagnosed with pancreatic cancer need not be alive
- Participants must be 18 years of age or older
How Can You Help?
If you are eligible and willing to join this important international research study, you may be asked to:
- Complete the screening form below
- Sign a consent form
- Answer questions about your individual lifestyle and family medical history (by mail, telephone or in-person)
- Donate a blood sample (does not require travel to this study site)
- Allow us to review medical information related to cancer
- Help us by talking to other family members who may want to join the study
How to Participate
If you would like to participate in the study, the first step is to submit a screening form.
Important Additional Information
One of the goals of this study is to understand the role of genes in the development of pancreatic cancer. Participants will not receive "gene test results" from this study because the meaning of an individual result may not be understood for some time. All personal information received will be kept confidential as required by law.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Kate Sargent below:
Kate Sargent, M.S.
Family Project Coordinator
sargentk@karmanos.org
(313) 578-4240 or (800) 527-6266 and ask the operator to transfer you to Kate Sargent.