Christos Fountzilas in Clinic

High-Risk Pancreatic Cancer Screening

Pancreatic cancer screening

Currently, screening for pancreatic cancer focuses on people at highest risk for the disease. Because no one test can detect the disease reliably, Roswell Park’s Pancreatic Cancer Screening Program will develop a screening plan specifically for you based on your personal risk. This screening plan may include:

  • Blood tests, including a metabolic panel and tests to measure your levels of certain antigens and other biomarkers
  • Endoscopic ultrasound and/or MRI every six months
  • Genetic screening
  • Periodic evaluation

Check your eligibility

This program may be right for you if you have:

  • Two or more first-degree relatives with a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer
  • Three or more blood relatives (with at least one first-degree relative affected) with a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer
  • A diagnosis of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, Familial Atypical Multiple Mole Melanoma (FAMMM/CDKN2A/P16)
  • A diagnosis of a genetic syndrome or mutation that increases risk for pancreatic cancer, ie: Lynch syndrome, ATM or PALB2, BRCA, with a first-degree or second-degree relative with pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer prevention

While you cannot change your family history or the genes you were born with, you can take steps to reduce or eliminate other risk factors, including:

  • Quit smoking. Kicking the habit helps to lower your risk for pancreas and many other cancers. We can help. Call the New York State Smokers’ Quitline (1-866-NY-QUITS or 1-866-697-8487). This free and confidential service, housed at Roswell Park, provides effective smoking cessation services to New Yorkers who want to stop smoking.
  • Avoid alcohol or drink in moderation only. Limit drinking to no more than one drink a day for women; two drinks a day for men.
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Reduce your intake of high-fat foods
  • Avoid exposure to toxic chemicals