Researchers at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University and several other institutions are collaborating in an international research study supported by the National Cancer Institute to discover genes and factors in the environment that may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer. This information will help us identify those people who may benefit from better pancreatic cancer prevention, screening, and treatment efforts.
 
Each year approximately 29,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer — the fourth leading cause of cancer death. The disease may cause few symptoms at first and is hard to diagnose in the early stages.
Pancreatic cancer risk factors include age, smoking and having a family history of pancreatic cancer.

Since pancreatic cancer appears to run in families, having relatives with pancreatic cancer increases a person’s risk of developing the disease. Research shows that inheritance plays a role in the development of some cancers. Finding pancreatic cancer genes may lead to better screening, treatment and prevention.

The Institute is seeking members of families in which two or more blood relatives have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Participants must be at least 18 years of age will be asked participate in this international research study. Participants will be asked to:

• Sign a consent form

• Answer questions about their individual and family medical history

• Donate a blood sample

• Allow researchers to review pathology reports and specimens from any cancer-related procedures

• Help study staff by inviting other family members to participate

All information related to this study will remain private and confidential. There may be other types of cancer in the family in addition to pancreatic cancer. Relatives diagnosed with pancreatic cancer need not be alive.

The effort to discover genes that may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer is expected to lead to future advances in the prevention, detection, and treatment of this disease.

For more information please contact:

Kate Sargent, MSCGC
Family Project Coordinator
(313) 833-0715 ext. 2007
sargentk@karmanos.org

Barbara Rusin, MS
Population Project Coordinator
(313) 833-0715 ext. 2306

Jeannette Korczak, PhD
Principal Investigator
(313) 833-0715 ext. 2210

Or visit:

Mayo Clinic PACGENE: mayoresearch.mayo.edu/mayo/research/pacgene/index.cfm

Mayo Clinic: www.mayo.edu/research/trials/trial_278.html

Johns Hopkins University: www.pathology.jhu.edu/pancreas

Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto: www.mtsinai.on.ca/familialgicancer

Creighton University: medicine.creighton.edu/HCI/

This study has been approved by Wayne State University’s Institutional Review Board.