Mayo Clinic to Study Families with Incidence of Pancreatic Cancer

Monday, October 20, 2003

Mayo Clinic is seeking volunteers over the age of 18 who have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer or are members of families in which two or more members have had pancreatic cancer. The purpose of this research study is to compare genetic characteristics from blood and tissue specimens collected from individuals who have pancreatic cancer with the blood and tissue of their family members.

"Learning whether or not there are inherited factors that affect the course of pancreatic cancer, and determining what they are, may help physicians make better decisions for treatment," says Gloria Petersen, Ph.D., a Mayo Clinic epidemiologist and lead researcher for the study. "We are studying all the members of the family to look for patterns of cancer and how the genes in these families are transmitted through generations."

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most serious and deadly forms of cancer. Although pancreatic cancer accounts for just 2 percent of new cancer cases in the United States, it's the fifth leading cause of all cancer deaths.

"Pancreatic cancer has such a high mortality rate because it spreads so rapidly and is seldom detected in its early stages," notes Dr. Petersen.

All study participants will be asked to fill out a brief questionnaire regarding family, health, and environmental exposure histories. They also will be asked to donate 4 to 5 tablespoons of blood from a vein in the arm. While the goal is to study any inherited or genetic causes, participation in this research study does not mean volunteers are suspected of having a genetic cause for their pancreatic cancer.

To obtain more information or to participate in this research study, call Cindy Nixa at 507-266-2512.

Contact:
Richard D. Hurt, Jr.
507-266-2166 (days)
507-284-2511 (evenings)
e-mail: newsbureau@mayo.edu

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