Pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer is the 10th most common cancer in the UK. It is difficult to detect, is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, and survival rates are extremely poor.
Pancreatic cancer
Early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer
This is critical to improving outcomes and survival, and understanding the risk factors and symptoms is key.
Inherited risk of pancreatic cancer: The EUROPAC Trial
EUROPAC was set up in 1996 in response to the perception that pancreatic cancer was more common in some families than in the general population.
It identified that some families had what is described as an “autosomal dominant predisposition”.
EUROPAC set out to develop surveillance methods to identify pre-malignant lesions of the pancreas or pancreatic cancer at an early stage (T1/T2).
It aims for early detection as opposed to early diagnosis so it can can act on pre-malignant lesions rather than cancers. Upon detection of such a lesion prophylactic surgery is offered.
It receives new referrals from all over the UK and now provides surveillance to more than 700 participants a year, who all have an increased lifetime risk of developing pancreatic cancer.
NHS England is working with EUROPAC to provide a referral route from the NHS into the EUROPAC national surveillance program for people at high risk of pancreatic cancer.
Across England there are six regional navigators who will help facilitate referrals into surveillance.
They are currently taking referrals from pancreatic cancer multi disciplinary teams (MDTs), genetic services and general practitioners.
For more information on how to participate in the trial visit EUROPAC Researching Hereditary Pancreatic Diseases (europactrial.com)
Find support and further information on the Pancreatic Cancer UK website.
Resources for healthcare professionals
To support primary care in early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, a toolkit has been produced by Kent's neighbouring Surrey and Sussex Cancer Alliance.