Pancreatic Cancer: Genetic Testing for Inherited Mutations
Genetic Testing for People Diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer
This section covers the following:
People with pancreatic cancer should ask about genetic testing
About 10% of people with pancreatic cancer have an linked to cancer risk. There are national guidelines that outline who should consider genetic counseling and testing for an linked to cancer. Speak with an expert about genetic testing for the following situations.
Experts recommend all people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at any age have genetic counseling and testing. About 1 out of 10 people with pancreatic cancer will test positive for an .
People diagnosed with pancreatic cancer may benefit from additional genetic counseling and expanded genetic testing if they had genetic testing in the past, tested negative, and:
- they had a test that only looked for one or a few genes, or
- they had genetic testing before 2014. Genetic testing has improved, and laboratories can now find gene mutations that may have previously been missed.
All pancreatic cancer survivors and those in treatment should speak with a genetics expert to decide if genetic testing is right for them.
Relatives of people with pancreatic cancer may also benefit from testing.
Genetic counseling and testing is also recommended for anyone with a 1st-degree or 2nd-degree relative who has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at any age.