Take our online questionnaire to find out if genetic counseling is appropriate for you.

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Pancreatic Cancer

Approximately 1 in 76 people will develop pancreatic cancer in their lifetime. Most pancreatic cancer develops by chance and does not run in families. However, some pancreatic cancers are hereditary. Hereditary cancers are caused by a mutation in a gene that can be passed on from generation to generation.

Symptoms

• Yellow skin and eyes, darkening of the urine, itching, and clay-colored stool
• Pain in the upper abdomen or upper back
• Loss of appetite, nausea, or vomiting
• Unexplained weight loss

Causes/Risk Factors

• Smoking
• Obesity or high fat diet
• Diabetes
• History of chronic pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
• Family history of pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, or melanoma
• Genetic mutations

Genetic Test

The following genetic tests may be appropriate based on your personal and/or family history:

• BRCA1/2 (hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome)
• MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2 (Lynch syndrome/HNPCC)
• p16 (hereditary melanoma)
• PRSS1, CFTR, SPINK1 (hereditary pancreatitis)
• STK11 (Peutz-Jeghers syndrome)
• Genetic variants for pancreatic cancer

Schedule an Appointment

To speak with a board-certified genetic counselor about your risks for this disease:

• Schedule genetic counseling appointment online
• Or call 1-800-975-4819
• Send email

Learn More

American Cancer Society

Support Groups

The National Pancreas Foundation

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN)