First my Dad and now my Uncle

[ejs]

Hello All

I am new to this site. My darling Dad was diagnosed with PC in July 4 years ago, and after going through 9 rounds of chemo, we lost him on 13 August 2010. It took a long time, but while we still miss him every day, we are all over the worst of the grief.

However, day before yesterday we got a call from my Dad's younger brother to tell us that the eldest brother (living in California) has been diagnosed with metastic(??) PC which has spread to his stomach and elsewhere. he will be starting chemo in 2 weeks, and next week is having a device implanted which will give him all his meds directly into his veins, with top ups weekly.

This news, needless to say, has devastated us, as much because we know what lies ahead for him and his closest family. We have been in touch with them all and offered support, and Mum and my Aunt have already had long conversations.I hope we will be able to help them through this.

This is going to sound awfully selfish - but I have one question - does the fact that my Dad and Uncle have both had PC mean that the likelihood of m, my brothers and sister, or my 4 1st cousins will be more likely to succumb? And is there a test, or something we can do to try and prevent it?

I would be so grateful if anyone knows the answer or can point us in the right direction.

Thank you, what a wonderful forum........

Emma

[Cathy]

Hi Emma

I am so so sorry to hear of your loss of your Dad amd you must feel stunned now your Uncle has been diagnosed with advanced PC as well. I hope he responds well to treatment - it is good it is starting soon.

There is usful information on this website itself which may give you some of the answers you need (for example, there is a bit about screening). You could always ask the nurses on this site aswell for more information if you wished support@pancreaticcancer.org.uk.

Here is the link:

http://www.pancreaticcancer.org.uk/information-and-support/facts-about-pancreatic-cancer/familial-risk

Best of luck

Cathyxx

[Sara_m]

Hi Emma

So sorry to hear about your situation. Although 85% of PC cases are 'sporadic', 15% are considered familial. There are various syndromes associated with Familial Pancreatic Cancer, which you can google; there are secondary screening programmes for people who have more than 1 relative diagnosed with the disease, and are to be considered to be of greater risk of developing the disease. Contact Europac, The European Registry of Hereditary Pancreatitis and Familial Pancreatic Cancer[ http://www.europac-org.eu/]. I am in the process of registering with them. My Mother was diagnosed in December 2012 with adenocarcenoma of the pancreas. She had the Whipple procedure in January and is now on a course of adjuvant chemotherapy. Her brother was diagnosed two weeks later with Stage iv. After a brave fight he passed away in May. Needless to say the last few months have been very difficult.

Wishing you strength,

Sarah

[carolelisabeth]

Hi,I'm new to this, but my husband who is 65 very fit and very little symptoms other than pain in his stomach about a week ago and also the left side- all gone now, he put it down to a kidney stone which he has suffered from in the past. The Doctor sent him for a ultra scan, which obviously showed up some sort of abnormality and is now sending him for further test as he thinks it may be pancreatic cancer- is there any chance it could be something else or would he have a pretty good idea from the scan that that is what it is.

Also should he be going to one of the specialist centres for the test? Thanks. Carol

[carolelisabeth]

I'm so sorry i seem to have added this to your post - can't figure out how to make a new one, do hope that you get your answers asap carol

[Cathy]

Hi Carol

Its probably best if you do start your own new thread so people can also reply to it seperately.

If you chose the forum you want to post to under "FORUMS" for example, "Carers, family and friends" and then click on "NEW TOPIC" above where it says "ANNOUNCEMENTS" and then just start a new thread.

I don't think, until the results of further tests are through that the doctors can say anything conclusive so fingers crossed it is something pretty benign. We are here for you though if you need and also contact the nurses on the site who can provide more specialised advice. support@pancreaticcancer.org.uk

All the best

Cathy x