One of the doctors behind the Sandler-Kenner Foundation talks the possible benefits.

Irving, TX — Pancreatic cancer has long been considered one of the deadliest forms of this disease. Known to present with few, if any, symptoms in its earliest stages and lacking a simple screening procedure, this cancer often goes undetected until it has spread beyond the pancreas. A new blood test under development may soon give patients and their doctors an edge to find this cancer faster.

The blood test under development seeks out a pair of markers that people with pancreatic cancer display in their blood. The test has been shown in studies to be quite accurate in identifying people with early stage pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. A recent review of its effectiveness involved more than 500 patients already diagnosed with the disease. The screening test stood up with an accuracy rate of about 98 percent.

“If the test holds up to further scrutiny, its potential implications are incredibly encouraging,” says Dr. Gregory Echt, one of the physicians behind the Sandler-Kenner Foundation and the founder and lead surgeon at Choice Cancer Care. “Having the ability to accurately screen people at risk for pancreatic cancer could lead to earlier detection and much more positive outcomes.”

Pancreatic cancer currently has a five-year survival rate that is less than 10 percent. This dismal prognosis is attributed to the fact that detecting this cancer before it has become advanced is complicated because of a general lack of symptoms and no readily available screening tool. The blood test is hoped to change that.

“People who are at risk for pancreatic cancer should be mindful of this condition and speak to their healthcare providers about prevention,” says Dr. Echt. Risk factors include new-onset type 2 diabetes, obesity, family history and chronic pancreatitis, among others.

The Sandler-Kenner Foundation is dedicated to raising awareness about pancreatic cancer while offering support for potentially lifesaving research.

About The Sandler-Kenner Foundation
The Sandler-Kenner Foundation, established in 2007 as the Las Colinas Cancer Center Foundation, was renamed in early 2011 in the memory of Michael Sandler and Peter Kenner, both of whom passed away from pancreatic cancer, a lethal disease that is difficult to diagnose until it has reached an advanced stage.