Understanding Pancreatic Cancer Genes in Ashkenazi Jewish Patients

Researchers want to understand why some people with Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry develop pancreatic cancer, and whether certain genetic mutations—especially ones called BRCA1 and BRCA2—play a role. This study will collect blood samples and medical information from about 100 patients with pancreatic cancer to find out how common these mutations are and how they affect the disease. The findings could help doctors identify people at high risk and possibly catch cancer earlier.

Pancreatic cancer is a serious illness, and up to 15% of cases run in families due to inherited gene mutations. Scientists don't yet fully understand how often these genetic mutations appear in people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent with pancreatic cancer, or how they affect the disease's course. This study aims to fill that gap so doctors can better screen and treat at-risk family members.