Many patients know of the association of the BRCA gene mutations with breast and ovarian cancers, but very few are aware that these mutations are linked to several gastroenterological cancers, including pancreatic cancer.
Our researchers have found that approximately 10 percent of pancreatic cancers seen in The Pancreas Center are associated with breast and ovarian cancer syndromes caused by BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations. Other researchers have found the link between pancreatic cancer and BRCA2 mutations to be as high as 19 percent.
This new understanding of the role of BRCA gene mutations in pancreatic cancer has opened critical avenues for early detection, better targeted treatment, and potentially, prevention, of the deadly disease.