Download What is the Familial Pancreatic Cancer Program?

What is the Familial
Pancreatic Cancer Program?
Through the Hereditary Cancer Program, the BC Cancer Agency has created a program specifically
for patients with inherited forms of pancreatic cancer.
The Familial Pancreatic Cancer Program (FPCP) was established in June of 2016 for the purpose of:
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Furthering our understanding of the causes of pancreatic cancer
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Evaluating the contribution of genetic factors, and
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Providing high-risk populations with early detection services
The FPCP aims to determine the benefit of currently available screening methods and is actively involved in the
development of an investigational pancreatic cancer screening protocol.
All patients with a diagnosis of PDAC (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma) are eligible for a referral to the FPCP
regardless of family history.
Most cancer is not hereditary. Only about 5-10% of all cancers are due to an inherited genetic change or mutation.
Research has identified the genes linked to specific patterns of cancer in some families (e.g. BRCA1 or BRCA2 for
hereditary breast/ovarian cancer, MLH1 or MSH2 for Lynch syndrome, and others).
In the general population, the lifetime risk of developing pancreatic cancer is about 1.5% (or 1 in 79) for both men and
women.
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The main risk factors for pancreatic cancer include: age, smoking, a prior history of pancreatitis, obesity and family history of pancreatic cancer. Adopting a healthy lifestyle may help minimize your risk of developing cancer.
Familial pancreatic cancer is typically defined by the presence of two or more first-degree relatives (mother, father,
brother or sister) with pancreatic cancer.
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In general, individuals who have one first-degree relative diagnosed with pancreatic cancer have approximately 2-3 times the increased risk compared to the general population.
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The lifetime risk increases with the number of relatives with pancreatic cancer:
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This means these individuals have about a 4% risk of developing pancreatic cancer over a lifetime.
-8%-12% with two first-degree relatives
-Up to 40% with three first-degree relatives
Genetic counselling is available via referral to the Hereditary Cancer Program for people with familial
pancreatic cancer and/or a significant history of cancer in their family. In-person appointments are currently
provided in Vancouver, Victoria, Surrey, Kelowna, Abbotsford, and Prince George. Video-conference appointments
are booked in many other communities, across BC/Yukon.
The goal of genetic counselling is to help people learn more about hereditary forms of cancer and to understand
their own cancer risks. Other interested adult family members are welcome to join you at an appointment.
Genetic counselling includes:
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detailed review of your “family tree”, with special attention to anyone who has had cancer
•
review of current information about genes and cancer
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assessment of your family history; some people may learn that their cancer risk is lower than they thought,
and others may learn that it is higher
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discussion about whether genetic testing to try to identify a specific hereditary gene mutation is possible for
you and/or your family
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support with decisions about genetic testing, including the possible impact on family relationships and other risks, benefits and limitations
current recommendations for early detection (cancer screening) and risk reduction
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If you are not interested in genetic counseling at this time but would like to store a sample of your
genetic material that can be analyzed at a later date, you can discuss with your doctor the option
of storing a blood sample. This may be helpful to your family members in the future.
If you have questions about the Hereditary Cancer Program, please contact:
Mary McCullum, RN, MSN, CON(C)
Carol Cremin, MSc, CCGC
Nurse Educator, Hereditary Cancer Program
Genetic Counsellor
Phone: 604.877.6000, local 672325
604.877.6000,local 674602
Toll-Free in BC: 1.800.663.3333, local 672325
Toll-Free in BC: 1.800.663.3333, local 674602
email: [email protected]
email: [email protected]
Additional information about the Hereditary Cancer Program,
including forms your doctor may need, can be found here:
www.bccancer.bc.ca/screening/health-professionals/hereditary
December 2016