Family History Checker Targets Early Detection in Pancreatic Cancer Patients

Pancreatic Cancer UK, in collaboration with NHS England (NHSE), has introduced a new risk checker tool aimed at promoting earlier diagnosis as part of its latest initiative

CREDIT: This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared on National Health Executive

A poll commissioned by Pancreatic Cancer UK indicates that awareness of inherited risk among primary care professionals could be improved. Of the 1,000 GPs surveyed, 66% acknowledged that pancreatic cancer has a hereditary component, but only 10% knew where to refer individuals with increased risk for further surveillance.

Inherited Risk Awareness

NHS England has invested £100,000 into the Family History Checker as part of its efforts to raise awareness about inherited risk factors and guide eligible individuals towards the surveillance programme—the European Registry of Hereditary Pancreatitis and Familial Pancreatic Cancer (EUROPAC).

The tool is available for individuals who have lost a family member to pancreatic cancer, allowing them to assess their risk of inheriting the disease. In total, one in 10 pancreatic cancer cases are hereditary.

A person is considered to have an inherited risk if they meet any of the following criteria: having more than one relative with pancreatic cancer on the same side of the family, belonging to a family with a genetic condition linked to pancreatic cancer with at least one family member diagnosed with the disease, or having been diagnosed with hereditary pancreatitis. Those referred to the EUROPAC registry will undergo further review to identify who should be invited for annual monitoring, enabling early detection of any pancreatic changes.

Improving the Chance of Diagnosis

Each year, approximately 10,500 people in the UK are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. However, 80% of these cases are not detected until the disease has reached an advanced stage, when a cure is no longer feasible.

“Pancreatic cancer is a devastating disease and once someone in your family has been affected, it’s hard not to become fearful for yourself and others in your life,” said Diana Jupp, CEO at Pancreatic Cancer UK.

“We are proud to be supported by NHS England on this project, which will help alleviate anxiety around inherited risk of the disease and identify the people who most need regular monitoring.”

NHSE’s national clinical cancer director, Professor Peter Johnson, added: “This new Family History Checker is a great tool for families where someone has had pancreatic cancer and will help the NHS to identify and support people at risk from it.”