Genetic Test For Pancreatic Cancer

my grandmother and mother both had pancreatic cancer, my mother is still batteling, and i need to get a genetic test for this i was told, but do not know what to do, or where to go, in chicago IL,any ifo appreciated.

I know your post was some time ago. Did you ever get a response? My Uncle died of PC ten years ago. Now my Grandmother has it. She was urged to have genetic testing done by one of the general oncologists we saw. We are now seeing a specialist for pc. He told us genetic testing would not give us a definite answer. They have not yet located the specific gene linking to pc. Are you of Jewish descent? I know it runs more prevelant in that race. We were also told it would cost about $6,000.00 to have testing done. Our dr. said the best thing we can do is always be on the look out for early warning signs and to always tell our doctors that we do have a family history of it. I hope this helps. Denise

Dennise, No i haven't recieved any responses with any info for testing, i am not of jewish faith, and i was informed by my mom's oncologist that there is a test with a possible cost of $300 dollars, however i haven't gotten any further with it. My mother just passed away this past Thursday October 5th, on my birthday, i've obviously been very busy helping care for her in the past year, but after a while, after i've had some time to be able to try to get my life back to normal i do need to check more into this testing. Any info i get i will try to keep in touch, because i think we all need to stick together, there isn't enough info for patients and families on pancreatis cancer so we can all try to help each other. Best of luck to you and your family. Vickie.

Dear Vicky, I am so sorry to hear about your Mother. I know how hard it is for us to let go. I will keep you in my prayers. Denise

Friend

I realize it's been almost a year since your post, but I will put this information out anyway, for whoever might find it.  I am interested in the genetics of pancreatic cancer, since I have a friend with the disease, whose mother and two uncles also had it.  I Googled the terms "pancreatic cancer" +"genetic testing" +Chicago  and found that there is a hospital in Chicago with special expertise in genetic screening for pancreatic cancer.  Here is their web site:

http://www.uchospitals.edu/specialties/cancer/pancreatic/scr

All the best. 

 

On 8/10/2007 Mim422 wrote:

Friend

I realize it's been almost a year since your post, but I will put this information out anyway, for whoever might find it.  I am interested in the genetics of pancreatic cancer, since I have a friend with the disease, whose mother and two uncles also had it.  I Googled the terms "pancreatic cancer" +"genetic testing" +Chicago  and found that there is a hospital in Chicago with special expertise in genetic screening for pancreatic cancer.  Here is their web site:

http://www.uchospitals.edu/specialties/cancer/pancreatic/scr

All the best. 

Hi!  Here it is Feb, 1. 2008 and I just found this link.  I am so grateful for the info I'm getting on the genetic aspect of pc...  My husband died in November, 2007 following his sister 2 years earlier.  It's just been such a terrible loss and an undignified and painful way to go.  We must push for early detection.  Most cases are found only after the cancer has spread to another organ.  Then it's just too late...  So, thank you!!

I am sorry to hear about your grandmother & mother. I am currently looking into genetic testing for my son & myself. I lost my 31 yr. old son to pancreatic cancer Aug. 2004, now my father to pancreatic cancer in Jan. of this yr. Frankly I feel I'm doomed. However, I couldn't bear to loose my only surviving child (now 33) to the same disease. I have had to make the decision to take my son off life support because the cancer invaded both his lungs.I know I wouldn't survive another catastrophe of this nature.

I know your posts were quite a while ago, but I wanted to respond anyway. I am so sorry to hear about what your families are going through.  For some people participating in research helps them feel like they are doing something to help fight the disease.  There are studies looking for genes involved in pancreatic cancer.

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. When there are 3 or more, it is more likely that there may be a genetic influence.  There are known genes that can cause PC, such as families with BRCA mutations, HNPCC, P16 and familial pancreatitis.  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 your family 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?cid=19&id=927

You can also search for "CAPS 3" for a reasearch study on screening for PC in families with multiple cases.

I wish you the best with your quest.

 

My Dads Bro and two cousins passed from it.

Greek descent.

Anyone know if its prevalent in Greeks?

I told my doc it runs in my Dads family, Dad passed of Lung cancer, and mom's side (Irish) has breast cancer in it. My daughter has Brain (GBM)

so I feel strongly that its more than coincidence 

It sure feels like we are gentically predisposed